News
Minority calls for independent investigation into missing narcotic substance
The Minority in Parliament is demanding an independent investigation into the ‘disappearance’ of whitish substance suspected to be cocaine in the latest arrest of a cache of drugs at Kpoglo near Aflao in the Volta Region.
The substance weighing 100.10 grams was reported missing from the list of suspected illicit drugs and US$200,000 from a syndicate on the Ghana-Togo border on June 5, 2020.
Since then, the Director General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Francis Torkornoo, has blamed the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for failing to account for the substance.
Speaking with journalists in Parliament, in Accra, yesterday, the Ranking Member on the Defense and Interior Committee of the House and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, said the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the substance must be established.
“The Minority calls for the immediate setting up of an independent committee of inquiry to establish amongst others, the circumstances under which the cocaine impounded by NACOC and entrusted in the hands of the Customs Division of the GRA disappeared,” he said.
According to Mr Agalga, the Minority was of the considered view that “the lack of synergy amongst the country’s security agencies at our borders mirrors the failure of the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as Chairman of the National Security Council.
“Such failure portends grave danger to our national security as a whole.”
Mr Agalga said there were unanswered questions which should be addressed even as the investigative team is put together to get to the bottom of the matter.
“How did the impounded vehicle manage to cross the border into Ghana at a time our borders remain closed as part of measures rolled out by the President to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“Are the security agencies namely, NACOC, Customs, Immigration, Police and the Bureau of National Investigations not required to collaborate in their quest to protect our country against the commission of cross-border crimes?” Mr Agalga asked.
He said the lack of collaboration between the NACOC and the Customs Division of the GRA was a very dangerous development which must be dealt with expeditiously.
“If nothing is done about the impasse between the two, you can be sure that our national security in the long run is going to be compromised in a manner that could be detrimental to our collective security as a people,” he posited.
Mr Agalga was baffled why the Customs Division of the GRA was yet to publicly speak on the allegation levelled against it by the NACOC boss that they were to be blamed for the disappearance of the substance.
He said owing to past experiences where cocaine got missing from the custody of the police in 2006 and 2008, “the current government (must) follow precedent by allowing an independent body to thoroughly investigate the Aflao cocaine saga.”
Source: Ghanaian Times
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
