Majority Leader in Parliament, James Agalga, has rejected claims that Ghana has become a “cocaine coast” under President John Dramani Mahama, describing the characterisation as mischievous and unsupported by the facts.
According to Mr Agalga, the government has adopted a firm approach to combating narcotics-related activities and will ensure that persons involved in the illegal drug trade are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Parliament while addressing concerns over Ghana’s fight against illicit drugs and the country’s reputation as a potential transit point for narcotics.
Mr Agalga insisted that the description of Ghana as a “cocaine coast” under the Mahama administration does not reflect the facts available to him.
“Anybody who describes this country as a cocaine coast under the watch of President Mahama as cocaine coast is mischievous because the facts I have presented do not support such a description,” he said.
He added: “Anybody who describes this country as a cocaine coast must bow his head in shame.”
In explaining his position, Mr Agalga cited past incidents involving alleged cocaine trafficking, including what he described as the LV Benjamin case.
He claimed that 77 parcels of cocaine arrived on Ghana’s shores in that case and that 77 persons subsequently disappeared.
Mr Agalga, who said he served as one of the lawyers in the case, explained that some of the persons involved were innocent and that his own client was eventually acquitted and discharged.
However, he argued that the individuals he considered the principal actors behind the incident were not brought to justice.
“It’s unfortunate. Is it God are the days when 77 parcels of cocaine arrived on our shores and in the full glare of the security agencies, the 77 persons disappeared. I’m talking about the LV Benjamin case,” he said.
“At that time, we didn’t even describe this country as a cocaine coast.”
Mr Agalga used the case to argue that Ghana’s current approach to narcotics enforcement should be assessed against the handling of similar incidents in the past.
The Majority Leader said the Mahama administration would not allow cocaine consignments or persons connected to narcotics-related activities to disappear without accountability.
“Today we’re saying that if you engage in any narcotics or drug enterprise, you are going to be arrested. No cocaine would vanish under the watch of this particular government,” he said.
He also referred to the Concordia incident, suggesting that the government’s current approach would prevent similar occurrences.
According to him, anyone involved in the narcotics trade would be apprehended and prosecuted, while their fundamental rights would be protected throughout the legal process.
“If you engage in any such enterprise, you are going to be apprehended and prosecuted in a very timeous manner, with all your rights protected,” he stated.
While calling for firm action against narcotics offenders, Mr Agalga stressed that the government must also respect the rights of accused persons.
He said law enforcement authorities should not compromise due process in their quest to secure convictions.
“We won’t violate anybody’s rights. We won’t just rush through the process because you want to make convicts out of accused persons. The due process will be followed,” he said.
He maintained that persons accused of narcotics offences must be allowed to go through the appropriate judicial process, regardless of the seriousness of the allegations against them.
Mr Agalga also cited the operation of specialised courts as part of measures aimed at strengthening the prosecution of narcotics-related cases.
He said the courts would help ensure that cases are dealt with efficiently while maintaining the legal safeguards applicable to accused persons.
“So these are some of the measures. So anybody who describes this country as a cocaine coast must bow his head in shame. The facts don’t support that kind of a description,” he reiterated.
His comments come amid renewed public discussion about Ghana’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, including concerns over the country’s vulnerability to international narcotics networks and the effectiveness of state institutions in detecting and prosecuting such offences.
Mr Agalga maintained that Ghana’s current narcotics-control measures should be considered when assessing the country’s record, rather than relying on the “cocaine coast” description.
By 1960news.com
