GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi says President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate replacement of scanners and personnel at Ghana’s ports following a recent drug trafficking incident linked to the country.
Mr Gyamfi said the development formed part of measures being taken to strengthen checks and controls at Ghana’s ports.
“I also understand that the President has directed that all scanners and personnel at our ports be changed, effective immediately,” he said in a Facebook post.
He said the President had also directed the immediate restoration of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to the list of Port Inspection Agencies.
According to Mr Gyamfi, the Commission would be granted “unfettered access to all entry and exit points; by air, land and sea.”
Mr Gyamfi said the restoration of NACOC was particularly important given its mandate to monitor, regulate, enforce and control narcotics trafficking.
He also cited his previous work with the Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey-led NACOC in the fight against gold smuggling, saying he was confident the Commission could contribute to efforts to stop drug trafficking with the necessary support.
He said the measures announced by the President could strengthen Ghana’s port security systems if properly implemented.
“I believe that these measures, if implemented effectively, will strengthen checks and control at our ports to forestall the reccurrence of these unfortunate incidents,” Mr Gyamfi stated.