Ghana‘s Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted opioid drugs valued at GH₵20 million at the Tema Port, preventing their illegal transit to Niger. The seizure comes as there are growing concerns over Ghana’s vulnerability to illicit pharmaceutical trade, with authorities pledging stricter enforcement.
Following the interception, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reaffirmed the government‘s zero-tolerance stance on opioid trafficking, emphasizing that Ghana will not become a transit hub for illicit drugs.
“While we are committed to facilitating trade, Ghana will not serve as a safe haven for opioids. The President is personally invested in addressing this crisis,” Akandoh stated.
The confiscated shipment included a variety of highly regulated opioids, including:
Rahol Tapentadol 250 mg – 26 cartons
Tafradol Tapentadol 120 mg – 160 cartons
Timaking Tapentadol 120 mg – 40 cartons
Loperamide 2 mg – 190 cartons
Chlorpheniramine Maleate – 320 cartons
The seizure follows growing scrutiny over Ghana’s port security protocols, particularly in light of a BBC exposé on the influx of illicit opioids into West Africa.
For business and policy reforms, stronger compliance measures need to be adopted, and importers and logistics companies must be made to face increased regulatory scrutiny at Ghana’s ports.
