President Mahama summons high-level meeting over border security, narcotics trafficking

President John Dramani Mahama has directed key state institutions involved in Ghana’s border security, ports, customs and law enforcement to attend a high-level meeting to address growing concerns over narcotics trafficking and other illicit substances. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House, will focus on measures to strengthen Ghana’s borders and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs through the country’s ports, airports and land borders. According to an invitation issued by the Office of the President and signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama on Monday, September 14 2026, the meeting will bring together senior officials from several institutions involved in border control and security. The invitation said the meeting will “discuss measures to strengthen Ghana’s border security and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs and other illicit substances through the country’s ports, airports and land borders.” Among the institutions invited are the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority and Ghana Police Service. The National Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Airports Company Limited and other operators within the ports and shipping sector are also expected to participate. The meeting will examine existing vulnerabilities in Ghana’s border security system and consider ways to strengthen intelligence sharing among the various institutions. It will also focus on cargo and passenger screening systems, inter-agency coordination and the deployment of technology to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking. The Presidency said the meeting will “review existing vulnerabilities, intelligence-sharing arrangements, cargo and passenger-screening systems, inter-agency coordination, and the deployment of technology to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking.” Each institution has been asked to be represented by its head, accompanied by no more than one relevant technical officer. The representatives are expected to present a brief assessment of existing security gaps and propose practical measures to improve intelligence sharing, surveillance, screening and joint enforcement operations. The invitation stressed the importance of the meeting, citing its implications for Ghana’s national security. “Given the urgency and national-security implications, your personal attendance is required,” the statement said. The high-level engagement comes amid growing efforts by state security and law enforcement agencies to strengthen Ghana’s ability to detect and prevent the movement of illicit drugs through its borders. President Mahama is expected to use the meeting to bring the various agencies together to improve coordination and develop practical measures to tackle narcotics trafficking and related threats to Ghana’s security. Read the full statement below NA/MA Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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