NACOC removal from ports was correct but implementation fell short – Wonder Madilo
Former NDC communicator criticizes port inspection system overhaul, saying NACOC's exit was right but coordination failed to prevent officer entrenchment and trafficking risks.
Okay worry continues over how Ghana’s ports handle cargo security after the decision to pull the Narcotics Control Commission out of the inspection mix. Former NDC communicator Dr Emmanuel Kwame Kofi Wonder-Madilo says removing NACOC was a necessary move, but the new arrangement failed to properly rotate inspection agencies and left some officials too comfortable at the docks. This matters deeply to ordinary Ghanaians because delays at ports translate into higher prices for goods and slower import processes that ripple through daily markets.
Madilo recounted to TV3 how multiple bodies once handled checks – from the Ghana Revenue Authority and National Security to the Food and Drugs Authority and Ghana Standards Authority. He argued that the sheer number of agencies caused bottlenecks but also warned that taking them all out without a clear rotation plan backfired. "I thought when they reduced the number, they would have introduced a timetable, a rotation so no one stays too long," he explained, stressing that repeated exposure makes some officers vulnerable to compromise by drug networks.
The broader concern sits alongside World Bank findings that Ghana’s trade logistics remain sluggish, prompting port authorities to advertise new measures aimed at speeding up container clearance. While the government insists the restructuring serves long-term efficiency, critics like Madilo question whether the implementation protects against entrenched interests. He insists the solution must balance reduced agency presence with continuous oversight to prevent traffickers from exploiting familiarity.
