Ghana risks losing a generation to drug abuse – Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned that Ghana risks losing a generation of young people to drug abuse, calling for urgent action to address the effects of narcotics trafficking on communities.

Ghana has been linked to several major international narcotics seizures in recent months, including the interception of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France.

The cocaine was reportedly concealed in a consignment of plastic waste shipped from Ghana.

He said the proliferation of illicit drugs threatens the health and future of young people, destroys families and undermines national productivity.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of Parliament's resumption on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, he said the consequences of drug trafficking extended beyond national security and Ghana's international reputation.

“The proliferation of illicit drugs threatens the health and the future of our young people. It destroys families, undermines productivity, and places an increasing burden on our healthcare and social welfare systems. We risk losing a generation of young people whose potential should be contributing to the development of our country,” he said.

The Minority Leader said the country must also confront the impact of narcotics entering local communities, rather than focus exclusively on the security and diplomatic implications of international drug seizures.

“Beyond the implications for national security and our international reputation, we must also confront the devastating consequences of narcotics finding their way into our communities,” he said.

He stressed that combating drug trafficking should be a collective national responsibility and called for accountability from institutions mandated to protect the public.

“This is why the fight against narcotic drug trafficking must concern every Ghanaian and why the institutions entrusted with protecting our society must be held accountable,” he added.

Afenyo-Markin said parliamentary scrutiny of institutional and regulatory weaknesses that may have facilitated drug trafficking was necessary and consistent with Parliament's constitutional oversight responsibilities.

“It is against this background that we the Minority consider parliamentary scrutiny of these institutional and regulatory matters both necessary and consistent with Parliament's constitutional oversight responsibility,” he said.

The Minority has argued that a parliamentary inquiry would examine the performance of public institutions and weaknesses in the country's drug enforcement systems, rather than interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings.

The Minority has filed a motion seeking a review of Speaker Alban Bagbin's ruling that declared inadmissible its proposed parliamentary inquiry into drug trafficking through the country.

The motion is expected to be considered by the House as Parliament resumes its sittings.