Economist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr George Domfeh, has raised concerns over findings in the 2025 Global Organized Crime Index on Ghana’s cocaine trade, particularly its reference to alleged political protection of illicit markets.
Commenting on the report, Dr Domfeh drew attention to its assessment that declining cocaine seizures and reduced media coverage of drug trafficking in Ghana have raised concerns among law enforcement officials and civil society stakeholders.
The report suggests that alleged political protection of illicit markets, particularly the cocaine trade, by sections of government could partly explain the low number of visible drug-trafficking cases.
“The Global Organized Crime Index 2025 reports that political protection allegedly given to illicit markets—particularly the cocaine trade—by sections of government is a major reason for the low number of visible drug-trafficking cases,” Dr Domfeh wrote.
He also referenced the report’s citation of cocaine cases recorded in March 2025 before adding: “Ɛh! ‘Drop’ mpo nie? NDC paa na wɔ nya saa asɛm yi paa!! Ɛyɛ asɛm ooo.”
The Global Organized Crime Index, published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, assesses criminal markets, criminal actors and countries’ resilience to organized crime.
In its 2025 Ghana profile, the Index scored the country’s cocaine trade at 6.50, while state-embedded criminal actors received a score of 7.50.
The report identifies Ghanaian organised crime groups as significant participants in the international cocaine trade and says Brazil remains a major source of cocaine entering Ghana.
According to the Index, cocaine shipments are often concealed in legitimate cargo and transported through trans-shipment points before reaching Ghanaian ports, particularly Tema and, to a lesser extent, Takoradi.
The report also raises concerns about reduced media coverage of drug trafficking, linking the situation partly to threats faced by journalists covering sensitive issues, including drugs, political vigilantism and corruption.
However, the Index does not identify specific government officials as being involved in protecting drug traffickers, nor does it establish criminal liability against the government or any political party. Its observations regarding alleged political protection are attributed to concerns expressed by law enforcement officials and civil society stakeholders.
The report further notes allegations that proceeds from the drug trade may influence politics and identifies corruption and limited political will as challenges in combating some forms of organised crime.
At the same time, it acknowledges Ghana’s efforts to tackle organised crime, including community policing initiatives and measures targeting human trafficking and illegal activities in the logging sector.
Dr Domfeh’s comments have drawn attention to the Index’s assessment and renewed questions about the factors behind the level of reported cocaine-trafficking cases in Ghana.
The allegations contained in the report remain subject to verification and any response from the relevant Ghanaian authorities.
By 1960news.com
