Minority Leader Urges EOCO to Target Drug Kingpins, Not Politicians

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office to shift its attention from pursuing political figures to dismantling drug trafficking networks. He argues that EOCO must prioritise investigations into the financiers, organisers and beneficiaries of the drug trade rather than using arrest powers to intimidate opponents. Afenyo-Markin cited a series of recent seizures – nearly 4,500 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of almost $500 million intercepted at the port of Amsterdam, 3.9 tonnes of cocaine arriving in Dunkirk, 320 kilograms of methamphetamine worth A$296 million reaching Australia, and 3.3 tonnes of cocaine found under sand in a tipper truck at Pedu Junction – to illustrate the scale of the problem. He questioned where the comparable zeal of security agencies is in chasing the kingpins behind these shipments. The call comes after EOCO arrested the Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, following a search of his office. EOCO issued a statement urging the public to allow its officers to investigate the allegations without speculation, saying it will continue to pursue inquiries, examine evidence and respect constitutional rights. Afenyo-Markin, however, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the MP, claiming he was seized without a warrant, identification or proper legal process, and that a warrant was only obtained a week later after the Speaker was approached. He accused the government of using the arrest as a political tool, creating a perception that state power is being wielded against critics while ignoring the broader drug and galamsey crises. According to a JoyNews report of 1 October 2026, Ghana recorded 11 cocaine cases in 28 drug busts since March 2025, with total seized cocaine valued at up to $1.7 billion. Afenyo-Markin urged EOCO and the National Crime Agency to collaborate, follow the money, trace assets and pursue the kingpins, stressing that investigative power must serve the public interest fairly, regardless of political affiliation. He also called for an end to the misuse of arrest to suppress free expression and for vigorous investigations into both narcotics and illegal mining networks. The MP voluntarily reported to EOCO on 1 October with his lawyer and fellow MPs, but was kept waiting for hours before questioning began, raising concerns about fairness. Afenyo-Markin warned that a culture of using coercive state powers to punish suspects must be abandoned, and he urged both EOCO leadership and the NDC to desist from harassment. He stressed that no one is above the law, including EOCO, but called for accountability and a credible war on drug trafficking.