Parliament Recall: Ntim Fordjour expects emergency sitting over drug-trafficking crisis

Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev Ntim Fordjour, expects Parliament to be recalled for an emergency sitting over Ghana’s worsening drug-trafficking crisis.

The Assin South MP says the Minority has secured more than the required 15% of MPs to trigger a parliamentary recall under Article 112(3) of the Constitution.

According to him, the signatures, petition and memorandum were filed with the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, last week.

He expects the Speaker to issue the notice of recall within this week, paving the way for Parliament to sit by next week.

“Yes, we got more than 15%. So the Speaker is expected to quickly issue a notice of recall for us to have an emergency recall, to constitute a committee, a bipartisan committee in Parliament, to dig into it, have a full inquiry into it, a transparent inquiry, so that we will be able to offer solutions,” he said.

Rev Ntim Fordjour said the proposed inquiry is not intended to become a political exercise.

“We are interested in solutions that restore Ghana to its glory,” he said.

He said Parliament’s intervention has become necessary amid growing public concern over the country’s drug-trafficking problem.

He also criticised the government for failing to take decisive action against officials within agencies connected to the security and drug-control chain.

“No, the government hasn’t acted. Who has been fired? Has there been any agency head fired in the value chain? No,” he said.

He argued that officials connected to the crisis should not simply remain in office while being tasked with finding solutions.

“We need strong leadership, and we need President Mahama on his return from UNGA to act decisively, and to act as a leader who is fully aware of the repercussions of this cartel,” he said.

His comments come amid heightened scrutiny of Ghana’s handling of cocaine and other illicit drugs.

The Minority has previously linked the latest drug seizures to concerns over possible weaknesses in Ghana’s security and enforcement systems.

Rev Ntim Fordjour also warned that the consequences could extend beyond drug abuse.

“Wherever there are drugs, there is money laundering, and wherever there is money laundering, it is linked to terrorism,” he said.

He further linked drug trafficking to illegal mining communities and warned of the wider security implications.

He said MPs must approach the expected emergency sitting with the national interest in mind.

“When Parliament comes, and for every 276 MPs, and for those watching us, when your MPs are coming, if indeed you did not send them to come to Parliament to endorse drug shipment and drug trafficking, then in your interest, in the interest of the constituency and the larger interest, the grand interest of Ghana, they should come and not make it politics,” he said.

He added that Parliament must place Ghana and its constituencies first in dealing with the crisis.

He said the Speaker has acknowledged receipt of the recall request and expressed confidence that the process would proceed.

“So, certainly, by next week, you expect Parliament to have been recalled?" he was asked, to which he said, “Absolutely. But within this week, that notice of recall is expected. It must go,” he said.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.