The recent arrest of Dasebere Dwamena, the acclaimed Ghanaian musician, at London’s Heathrow Airport for alleged drug trafficking seems to have stunned many people and ignited a fresh and vigorous discussion about this miserable business. As the news was settling in, another fresh round of news erupted about some ladies caught at Kotoka Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country. Some have wondered what could possibly push such a talented musician as Dasebere to dabble in this activity, whilst others have heaped the blame for the drugs trade by Ghanaians in varying degrees on poverty, greed, get-rich quick attitudes and a lack of moral uprightness. Incredibly, even the current government has had its share of the blame, as if drug trafficking was unknown in Ghana pre-2000.What would make an otherwise rational human being dance tantalizingly at death’s door with such poison buried in his or her body, or dabble with the prospect of a long spell in a prison cell?
Yet, it is this writer’s view that the various reasons ascribed by many do not tell the full story behind drug trafficking. To simply ascribe drug trafficking to poverty is the product of lazy thinking. Without seeking to imply that Dasebere is guilty (though it is hard to see how a court will conclude otherwise, given the discovery in his bags), he cannot be said to be poor. In any case, few poor people even have access to these drugs circles. A great number of them would balk at the suggestion that they should be drug mules, no matter the material attractions. To them, it is just not worth it.
So then, is it desperation? Or greed? Or the result of increasing materialism in our society, where the source of people’s wealth is not questioned and the wealthy are literally worshipped? Or is it an interaction of these factors, including financial hardships? These may all play some part in the equation, but I believe that whatever the basic reason for wanting to be involved in this business, the ultimate consideration for these drug traffickers before going ahead is the principle of risk calculation.
These traffickers clearly know the score if they are caught, or if their drugs explode in their bellies. Are they simply fools rendered myopic by the lure of money? Irrational simpletons playing Russian roulette? Or does it go deeper, to what is essentially an aspect of the human psyche we all possess in varying degrees? Could it not be the case that these traffickers analyze the situation carefully (in their own ‘warped’ minds) and come to the conclusion that there is a 50% or possibly higher chance that they may not be caught and thereby earn themselves a lot of money in the process? I think that prospect is more of a catalyst for these people.
The prospective trafficker may have heard of or knows so many people who are successful traffickers, and may well remain optimistic that he will be lucky. After all, is it not human nature to be optimistic? He may say to himself, ‘Well, even if I get caught, I will not be executed, so what is the big deal?’ (unless of course he has the misfortune or idiocy of landing in Thailand!!). Such a person may continue in self-justification, ‘at the very worst they will put me in prison, and ‘abrokyir’ prison conditions are not such a bad thing, unlike say Usher Fort, plus you can get parole halfway through your sentence’. This person may then continue to justify his trip thus: ‘Even if I get caught after two trips, I would have made some money in Ghana and can come back to enjoy my assets when I am released from prison after parole and deported’. Even if you were to point out to this person the possible death resulting from swallowing drug pellets, the quick riposte may be ‘well, what if I get them out on time upon arrival, like many people do? In any case, all die be die’. He will tell you life is full of risks, and he is simply taking his, just like a soldier on the battlefront who could get killed, a miner working underground who could get crushed by falling rocks, or a Chorkor fisherman whose flimsy boat can easily capsize on the high seas. You may not agree with his analogies, but they make perfect sense to him.
To such a person, these ‘inconveniences’ are simply occupational hazards, and the ‘benefits’ to be derived, in his mind, far outweigh the difficulties. They only blame the devil and feel remorseful when they are caught and reality hits them. And the hard reality is that for every disaster story you can point to regarding the drugs trade, someone can point out ten or more stories of people in Ghana who have banished poverty from their lives by being willing to risk those same disasters. It is the same mindset that informs the actions of the armed robber, who knows he could either be killed whilst on his mission by armed police or an armed homeowner. On the other hand, he could walk away with a bounty.
To the drug pusher, or in fact any criminal, whether money launderer, credit card fraudster, or ordinary goat thief, the principle of calculated risk taking is simply a manifestation (albeit on a different platform) of the basic human behaviour of risk-taking.
Until the screws are tightened completely (e.g sniffer dogs on each passenger on each flight) to make it 100% impossible to smuggle drugs or indeed commit any crime (which in itself is impossible) then some people will always be willing to take the risks. And they will do so knowing a possibility of success exists somewhere, however small. Even Thailand, with its death penalty for drug smuggling, does get people trying to traffic it in. Simply mind-boggling. But then, that is human behaviour for you. It is a fact, not a justification of this or any other crime. To pretend otherwise is simply to engage in futile self-delusion.
Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.
