The Jubilee House has revised invitations to a high-level meeting on border security and narcotics control after opposition lawmaker Sammi Awuku criticised an earlier version for excluding ministers responsible for key agencies.
An updated invitation dated 14 September and signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama, invites the ministers for Finance, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Transport to the meeting scheduled for Thursday (17 September) at the seat of government.
The meeting will discuss measures to strengthen Ghana’s borders and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs and other illicit substances through the country’s ports, airports and land borders, according to the invitation.
The initial invitation, which Awuku shared publicly, was addressed to heads of institutions including the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, Narcotics Control Commission and Ghana Airports Company Limited.
The revised invitation now includes the relevant sector ministers alongside the heads of those agencies.
Awuku, a former national organiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party and now a member of parliament for Akuapem North welcomed the change in a social media post on Tuesday.
“It is refreshing to note that the Administration has made the necessary adjustments and corrected the egregious error,” Awuku wrote, referring to the earlier invitation to agency heads without their sector ministers.
He said his criticism was not intended as a personal attack on the Mahama administration but was part of the opposition’s responsibility to scrutinise government and raise concerns.
“The fight against drug trafficking and the protection of Ghana’s reputation are matters that must transcend partisan politics,” Awuku said.
The revised invitation says participants are expected to provide an assessment of existing security gaps and propose measures to improve intelligence sharing, surveillance, screening and joint enforcement operations.
It also stresses that, given the “urgency and national-security implications” of the meeting, personal attendance is required.
The development comes as Ghana faces growing concerns over the use of its ports, airports and other entry points for the movement of illicit drugs and other contraband.
The meeting is expected to bring together political leaders, security agencies, port authorities and operators of terminal scanning systems to examine vulnerabilities and improve coordination in the fight against narcotics trafficking.
