Mahama orders security agencies to secure Ghana's ports against drug trafficking
President Mahama directed security agencies to tighten port inspections and stop drug smuggling after a review of port vulnerabilities
Madam Boakye who sells plantain chips at Kejetia Market says security checks there have tightened in the past month.
She says officers now inspect each truck before it enters the market.
Inspector Kofi Mensah attached to the Kandahar checkpoint in Tamale explains the new procedure.
He says customs officers now use sniffer dogs at every container.
He adds that any cargo flagged by the dogs is taken to a secondary hall.
Officer Ama Nana Amoah at the Tema Port confirms the dogs are German Shepherds.
She says they are trained to identify cocaine and heroin smells.
A recent seizure in Tema involved three containers marked for the Netherlands.
Customs seized 45 kg of suspected cocaine after the dogs reacted.
The stolen consignment had left Kumasi two days before the arrest.
Chief customs officer Kwame Atta says the dogs work in shifts.
He says they check every pallet that arrives after midnight.
The dogs are housed in kennels near the customs office.
Officials say the new plan focuses on intelligence sharing.
Security agencies will meet weekly to discuss suspicious routes.
The National Security Council will review the port strategy within two months.
Minority leader Joseph Osei has called for a parliamentary hearing.
He says the hearing will examine recent drug seizures abroad.
The government aims to prevent any single container from exiting unchecked.
Cha, a 64‑year‑old fisherman in Aflao, waits for his boat to leave for Nigeria.
He hopes the new rules will not delay his cargo shipments.
He checks his nets while his son loads shipments.
He says the security forces have become more attentive.
He does not expect the changes to affect his daily earnings.
Source: MyJoyOnline
