Concerns from law enforcement officials and civil society stakeholders that sections of Ghana’s government may be protecting illicit markets have been cited as a possible explanation for the decline in visible cocaine trafficking in the country.

The concern is contained in the latest Global Organised Crime Index, which points to a fall in cocaine seizures and reduced media coverage of the trade.

The report says stakeholders believe the decline in seizures does not necessarily mean cocaine trafficking has reduced.

“As cocaine seizures have declined and media coverage has decreased, law enforcement officials and civil society stakeholders suggest that political protection being given to illicit markets, particularly the cocaine trade, by sections of the government is the main reason for a drop in visible trafficking,” it states.

The report does not independently establish that political protection is responsible for the decline. Rather, it records the concerns and views attributed to the law enforcement and civil society stakeholders.

Despite the decline in visible trafficking, the report says Ghanaian organised crime groups have become significant players in the international cocaine trade.

“Ghanaian organised crime groups have also emerged as big players in the global cocaine trade,” it states.

The report also identifies Brazil as the main source of cocaine entering Ghana by sea.

It says shipments are often concealed in sugar containers and moved through intermediary locations before reaching Ghana.

“Brazil remains the primary source country for cocaine imported by sea, often concealed in sugar containers and transported through trans-shipment points such as Spain or Turkey before reaching Ghana’s ports at Tema, and to a lesser extent Takoradi.”

The findings therefore point to a gap between the visibility of cocaine trafficking and the underlying activity, with stakeholders cited by the report warning that fewer seizures and less media attention may not reflect a corresponding reduction in the trade.

The concerns come against the background of recent cocaine-related arrests and drug seizures in Ghana.