The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle illicit drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.

The Bishops said the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk, France, allegedly concealed in a container of plastic waste from Ghana, highlights the seriousness of the drug menace.

In a statement signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishops said the issue must not be treated merely as a criminal matter.

“The drug menace is no longer a distant threat. It is a serious national concern and a profound moral crisis that cannot be treated merely as a routine criminal matter.”

The Conference called for stronger coordination among the Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs, port authorities, the judiciary and schools.

It also urged authorities to investigate the networks and financial arrangements behind drug trafficking rather than focusing only on couriers.

“Investigations must follow the money and identify the networks, businesses and financial arrangements that sustain the trade, and every public official reasonably suspected of complicity should be investigated regardless of rank.”

The Bishops further called for stronger cooperation with INTERPOL and Europol to investigate transnational drug networks and locate wanted persons.

They also urged government to strengthen drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes, while addressing poverty and unemployment that make people vulnerable to trafficking.

The Conference said the fight against drugs should involve the Church, families and society, particularly through prevention education and support for young people struggling with drug use.

Read more below:

GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE (GCBC) PRESS STATEMENT Reclaiming the Soul of Our Nation: A Moral Call to Action against the Escalating Drug Menace in Ghana “Rescue those who are being dragged away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter.” — Proverbs 24:11

We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, cannot remain silent while illicit drug trafficking and abuse threaten the moral fabric, security and future of our nation.

The drug menace is no longer a distant threat. It is a serious national concern and a profound moral crisis that requires urgent, coordinated and sustained action.

The Immediate Concern

On 10 September 2026, French customs authorities at Dunkirk intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €225 million, concealed in a container of plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana. Part of the consignment was reportedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

Four Ghanaians — Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias “Paul Kweku Yeboah” or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Othere; and Jessica Hartog — were arraigned before the High Court in Accra on 16 September 2026.

They face charges of conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licence and exportation of narcotic drugs and were remanded to reappear on 13 October 2026. A fifth accused, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, is reported to be at large.

We respect the judicial process and emphasise that the accused persons are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

However, the scale of the alleged shipment is deeply disturbing. Investigations must establish how such a consignment left Ghana through legitimate commercial channels.

We commend the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other agencies and urge continued cooperation with the French authorities to establish the full extent of the network involved.

We also commend the President for forming an inter-agency task force to tackle the trafficking of narcotic drugs through our ports, airports and borders.

A Wider National Crisis

The Dunkirk seizure is one episode in a wider problem.

Ghana's geographical position and participation in international trade make vigilance at our ports, airports and borders especially important.

A memorandum dated 18 September 2026 and signed by more than 40 Members of Parliament, invoking Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders, petitioned the Speaker to recall Parliament from recess.

The memorandum cites a number of incidents dating from March 2025, including:

- a 3.3-tonne cocaine haul hidden under sand in a tipper truck at Pedu Junction, Cape Coast;

- another cocaine consignment intercepted on the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway;

- hundreds of parcels of suspected cocaine found in sacks of gari at a Tema Harbour warehouse;

- an unresolved case involving a flight from Gran Canaria alleged to have carried narcotics and undeclared currency;

- a vessel released after payment of a partial fine and later arrested abroad with narcotics; and

- methamphetamine concealed in a charcoal shipment and intercepted by Australian customs.

The signatories estimate that high-profile seizures linked to Ghana over the past two years exceed US$1 billion in value.

According to NACOC, intelligence-led operations resulted in 217 arrests and 165 prosecutions, with more than 8.5 tonnes of assorted narcotic drugs and 45.4 million tramadol tablets intercepted during the period under review.

We are equally concerned about the domestic face of the menace, particularly drug abuse among young people, the effect of drug money on institutions and the temptation it poses to persons in positions of trust, including those in commerce, the security services and, with sorrow, within the Church.

In March 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority reported the arrest of nine public officers over a large consignment of undeclared tramadol at Tema Port. Those arrested included five Customs officers and personnel from NACOC, Port Security, the Energy Commission and the Ghana Standards Authority. They were granted police inquiry bail while investigations continued.

The fight against illicit drugs must therefore include anyone who abuses public trust to facilitate their movement.

We are also concerned by the memorandum's observation that, more than a year after the Pedu Junction seizure, only the driver, a housemaid and a few peripheral suspects have been arraigned, while the financiers and principal traffickers remain unidentified.

A credible national response must go beyond prosecuting couriers and ensure that the networks and financial interests behind the trade are identified and brought to account.

A Moral and Pastoral Concern

The drug trade is a moral evil because it exploits human vulnerability, damages human health and dignity, and places profit above human life.

Scripture teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2291, teaches that drug use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offence, and that clandestine production and trafficking are scandalous practices constituting direct cooperation in evil.

The drug trade preys on poverty, unemployment and weakened family relationships, offering the illusion of quick wealth while bringing addiction, violence, imprisonment, broken families and death.

Complicity in the production, trafficking, distribution or deliberate protection of traffickers cannot be justified by financial gain.

At the same time, those struggling with addiction must not be treated solely as criminals. They need medical, psychological, social and spiritual support, as well as opportunities to rebuild their lives.

Our Appeal to Government

We appeal to the Government to treat the fight against narcotics as an urgent national concern through a coordinated strategy involving the Police Service, NACOC, Customs, port authorities, the judiciary and schools.

We call for the timely prosecution of persons against whom credible evidence exists, while respecting constitutional rights and judicial independence.

Our ports, airports and borders must be properly equipped to detect illicit consignments.

We urge stronger cooperation with INTERPOL and Europol in investigating transnational networks and locating wanted persons.

Investigations must follow the money and identify the networks, businesses and financial arrangements that sustain the trade. Any public official reasonably suspected of complicity should be investigated, regardless of rank.

Government should also strengthen prevention and treatment programmes, expand rehabilitation services, and address the poverty and unemployment that make people vulnerable to trafficking.

We welcome Parliament's exercise of its oversight function.

The memorandum proposes that the Ministers for the Interior, Transport and National Security, together with NACOC, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Intelligence Bureau, be summoned to account for the adequacy of scanning, surveillance and clearance procedures at our ports and airports.

We consider this a necessary step and urge that any such sitting proceed without delay and with the seriousness required by the matter. Every institution must cooperate fully and transparently.

Responsibility of the Church, Family and Society

The fight against drugs cannot be left to Government alone.

We call on Catholic parishes, schools and youth organisations to intensify drug-prevention education, mentorship and pastoral accompaniment.

We urge priests, consecrated persons, catechists and lay leaders to address the issue courageously in their preaching and catechesis.

We appeal to parents and guardians to stay close to their children, listen to them, understand their concerns and provide moral and emotional support.

The family remains essential to the formation of conscience, character and responsibility.

Young people struggling with drug use should not be abandoned or condemned. They should be encouraged to seek professional help.

To our young people, we say plainly: do not be deceived by the temporary gains promised by the drug trade. Choose life. Build your future upon honest work, faith, education, virtue and service.

Your dignity is beyond price, and the Church stands ready to accompany you.

Pastoral Appeal and Prayer

We offer our prayer and pastoral support to every family affected by addiction and to communities suffering drug-related crime.

We pray for those involved in the drug trade, that they may recognise the harm they have caused, repent and find new life.

We pray for those struggling with addiction and for judges, investigators, law-enforcement officers, public servants, educators and health professionals, that they may act with courage, wisdom and integrity.

We entrust this national struggle to Mary, Queen of Ghana, and seek the intercession of our saints and martyrs.

Conclusion

The drug menace strikes at the heart of our nation's life and demands urgent, coordinated and sustained action.

We call on all Ghanaians — in government, civil society, the Church and every family — to confront this scourge and protect the dignity and future of our young people.

The Dunkirk seizure, narcotics intercepted in Ghana, the Tema Port arrests and the parliamentary scrutiny now being sought should strengthen our national resolve.

The response must be firm and lawful, but also preventive, rehabilitative and rooted in respect for human dignity.

We recall the words of Christ:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” — John 10:10

May Ghana choose life over destruction, integrity over corruption, and the common good over illicit wealth.

MOST REV. MATTHEW KWASI GYAMFI
Bishop of Sunyani and President
Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference

Monday, September 21, 2026