Mahama Summons Security and Port Agencies After 3.9-Tonne Illegal Substance Seizure Linked to Ghana

• President John Mahama scheduled a high-level meeting at Jubilee House on Thursday, September 17, 2026, involving heads of key security and port institutions
• The meeting follows French customs authorities seizing nearly 3.9 tonnes of illegal substance worth an estimated US$261 million from a container shipped from Ghana
• The Narcotics Control Commission arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the network behind the seized shipment

President John Mahama has called top security, aviation, and port officials to an emergency meeting at Jubilee House on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to scrutinise Ghana's border-control framework in the wake of a major international illegal substance seizure.

The high-level gathering follows a report from French customs authorities, who intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of an illegal substance with an estimated street value of US$261 million from a container that originated in Ghana. Citi News first reported on the planned meeting on September 14, 2026.

What the Jubilee House meeting will cover

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Officials attending are expected to assess weaknesses in existing border-control systems and put forward concrete proposals on strengthening intelligence sharing, surveillance, cargo screening, and coordinated enforcement efforts.

Each invited institution must be represented by its head, accompanied by no more than one technical officer.

The institutions called to attend include the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Shippers' Authority, terminal scanner operators, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, Meridian Port Services Ltd, the National Intelligence Bureau, the Ghana Police Service's Criminal Investigations Department and Interpol, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Ghana Airports Company Limited.

The meeting also comes against a backdrop of parliamentary pressure. Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, publicly questioned why major international illegal-substance seizures linked to Ghana have not translated into high-profile arrests and prosecutions domestically.

NACOC arrests three suspects linked to seized items

Separately, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the arrest of three individuals allegedly connected to the 'Bolle Jos' illegal-substance movement network, which is believed to be tied to the French seizure.

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NACOC stated that all three suspects remain in its custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations into their alleged roles in the operation.

The twin developments, a presidential security summit and fresh arrests, signal a determined effort by Ghanaian authorities to confront growing international scrutiny over the country's vulnerability to illegal-substance movement through its ports and airports.

Source: YEN.com.gh