NACOC

NACOC — narcotics enforcement agency that operates at Ghana's ports but was removed from routine container inspections under 2017 port reforms.

2026-06-212026-11-07

News reports

Order a long-term news report on NACOC

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
2 OctThe Ghanaian Times
… He called on EOCO and NACOC to collaborate, follow the money, trace assets and pursue the kingpins. …
EOCO must pursue drug kingpins, not persecute political opponents – Afenyo-Markin
September 2026
28 SeptJoy Online
… In 2025, NACOC officials identified malfunctioning airport body scanners, overcrowded detention facilities and deteriorating vehicles among the challenges affecting the Commission’s operations. …
Is Ghana safely becoming a narcotic transit coast?
24 SeptJoy Online
… NACOC was not abolished. It was not expelled from Ghana’s ports. …
Foreign drug arrests rise under NDC: Stop blaming opposition for your drug mess, joint inspections worked
24 SeptJoy Online
… French authorities’ seizure has already triggered investigations in Ghana, with NACOC announcing arrests of suspects allegedly connected to the shipment. …
Repeated cocaine seizures could hurt Ghana’s trade reputation – CDM
22 SeptDaily Guide
Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, NACOC Boss. INSET: The suspect Ghana has once again become the centre of attention following the arrest of a 52-year-old man at the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa on suspicion of drug trafficking after arriving from Accra. …
Cocaine Transit Crisis: Another Shipment Pops Up In SA
22 SeptJoy Online
… They cited the March 2026 arrest of nine public officers at Tema Port over undeclared tramadol, including five customs officers and officers from NACOC, Port Security, the Energy Commission and Ghana Standards Authority. …
Drugs cases disgracing Ghana before the world – Catholic Bishops Conference tells Government
18 SeptJoy Online
… The Caucus wants the relevant ministers and agencies, including the Interior, Transport and National Security ministries, NACOC, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service and National Intelligence Bureau, to account to Parliament. …
US$350m Cocaine Bust: Minority caucus questions why key suspects remain unidentified
18 SeptJoy Online
… It calls on officials and institutions, including the Ministers responsible for Interior, Transport and National Security, NACOC, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the National Intelligence Bureau, to account t …
Minority caucus demands parliamentary recall over US$1bn drug seizures linked to Ghana
17 SeptJoy Online
… oo fragmented, and when it comes to examination, mandatory presence of very key agencies, sometimes they are missing.” He also raised concerns about personnel, infrastructure and investigative capacity within the institutions responsible for fighting narcotics trafficking. “NACOC …
They learn from our weaknesses – Dr Norman warns Ghana is giving drug traffickers an edge
17 SeptJoy Online
… In June, NACOC also began investigations into the seizure in Australia of about 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine allegedly shipped from Ghana. …
It is getting out of hand – Amankwa-Manu wants Parliament recalled over drug trafficking

Politics

EOCO accused of selective justice against opposition MPs

The News

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office of selective justice, alleging that the state is more interested in intimidating opposition MPs than tackling narcotics networks. He condemned EOCO's handling of the case involving Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, claiming EOCO sought to arrest the MP without a warrant, obtained one only a week later, and did not properly approach the Speaker of Parliament despite the MP's referral of EOCO invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.

2 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Friday 2 October

EOCO accused of selective justice against opposition MPs
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office of selective justice, alleging that the state is more interested in intimidating opposition MPs than tackling narcotics networks. He condemned EOCO's handling of the case involving Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, claiming EOCO sought to arrest the MP without a warrant, obtained one only a week later, and did not properly approach the Speaker of Parliament despite the MP's referral of EOCO invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.
2 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Monday 28 September

Ghana faces growing drug trafficking challenge, recent seizures reported
Ghana is grappling with a growing narcotics trafficking problem involving sophisticated networks that threaten national security, the economy, and international reputation. In March 2025, authorities intercepted approximately 3.3 tonnes of cocaine at Cape Coast, valued at more than US$350 million, among other significant narcotics seizures across the country's roads, ports and international gateways.
28 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 24 September

NDC government told to address drug crisis, not blame past reforms
An opinion piece argues that the NDC-led government should stop attributing Ghana's drug-trafficking crisis to 2018 port reforms, noting that NACOC remained at ports but was no longer part of routine container inspections. The 2017 paperless-port reforms introduced joint inspections and risk-based approaches to reduce bureaucracy and delays.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Repeated cocaine seizures could damage Ghana's trade reputation
The Centre for Democratic Movement has warned that growing international narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana could harm the country's reputation, legitimate exporters, and citizens traveling or doing business abroad. The organization called for stronger border controls, improved security agency coordination, and a parliamentary inquiry to address the issue and protect Ghana's international standing.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 22 September

Man arrested in South Africa with suspected cocaine from Ghana
A 52-year-old South African national arriving from Accra was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport with substances suspected to be cocaine valued at R2 million. This is the third major arrest of suspected drug traffickers arriving from Ghana, following a British actress and Australian couple caught with methamphetamine bound for Australia in June, and French customs seizing nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in a Ghana-sourced container in July.
22 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
Catholic bishops condemn drug trafficking damaging Ghana's reputation
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has warned the government that the country's growing perception as a drugs trafficking transit point is disgracing Ghana and eroding its international reputation, citing a series of major drug seizures including a 3.9-tonne cocaine interception by French customs in September 2026.
22 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 18 September

Minority demands Parliament recall over major drug seizures
Ghana's parliamentary Minority has requested a recall of Parliament to investigate major narcotics seizures, including a US$350 million cocaine haul at Pedu Junction in 2025 and nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine seized in France in a container of plastic waste from Ghana. The Caucus is demanding answers on why principal traffickers and financiers remain unidentified despite arrests of minor suspects.
18 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Minority demands parliamentary recall over Ghana-linked drug seizure
The Minority in Parliament has formally requested a parliamentary recall to investigate major narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana, citing a reported seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France in September 2026 concealed in a container of plastic waste that departed Ghana. The caucus says the seizure raises serious questions about Ghana's port security, customs controls, intelligence gathering and narcotics enforcement systems.
18 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 17 September

Ghana's drug enforcement weaknesses enable large-scale trafficking through ports
Security consultant Dr Ishmael Norman warns that drug traffickers are exploiting weaknesses in Ghana's security system to move large consignments of narcotics through the country, and that Ghana must treat drug trafficking as a serious national threat rather than an occasional emergency. His warning follows French customs seizure of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from a container departed from Ghana, valued at more than $260 million, and major seizures by Ghanaian authorities including 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at Tema Harbour in August.
17 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Former deputy minister calls for Parliament recall on drug trafficking
Former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwa-Manu is calling for Parliament to be recalled to enable an in-depth discussion on Ghana's growing drug trafficking problem and develop a coordinated national response, citing the need for strengthened intelligence sharing among security agencies and stronger parliamentary oversight.
17 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 13 September

Minority demands probe into Ghana's narcotics transit hub status
Ghana's parliamentary Minority is calling for a full-scale independent inquiry into the country's emergence as a narcotics transit hub, citing high-profile drug seizures exceeding US$1 billion under the current NDC administration over the past 18 months, including a 3.3-tonne cocaine interception in Cape Coast and other major confiscations.
13 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 2 July

High Court approves Abu Trica extradition to US
A High Court in Accra has affirmed the extradition of Frederick Kumi, known as Abu Trica, to the United States over alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering targeting the elderly, estimated at $8 million. His lawyer has indicated an intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
2 July 2026 · Daily Guide →

Saturday 27 June

NPP disciplinary process for Agyapong is valid, says NACOC official
Alexander Twum-Barimah, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, says the NPP's referral of Kennedy Agyapong to its disciplinary committee is justified if he breached party rules, but argues the party should also address the substantive issues Agyapong has raised rather than focusing only on discipline.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 21 June

Simons demands transparency on 320kg meth seizure from Ghana
Australia's border police seized methamphetamines worth approximately $210 million in street value hidden in charcoal containers shipped from Ghana in April 2026. Bright Simons criticizes Ghanaian security agencies for providing no updates on the bust and notes that any charcoal export from Ghana requires permits from the Energy Commission, raising questions about how the shipment was cleared.
21 June 2026 · Joy Online →