The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) says it is ready to cooperate with Parliament after allegations by New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker Sammi Awuku over the handling of a vessel linked to suspected drug trafficking.
Awuku, who serves as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interests, said he would formally request information from the Authority over the case of the vessel M/V Sankofa, which he claims was previously detained in Ghana before later being intercepted in Senegal over alleged illicit drug transport.
He raised concerns about what he described as possible lapses in oversight, warning that Ghana risks regaining a reputation as a hub for international drug trafficking.
“In my capacity… I will be asking the right questions and demand the right answers,” Awuku said, outlining a series of inquiries covering the vessel’s entry, arrest, sanctions, and eventual departure from Ghanaian waters.
According to him, the vessel was arrested in July 2025 for multiple regulatory breaches while operating under a foreign flag but was later allowed to leave Ghana without clear records of sanctions being applied.
He further alleged that the same vessel was subsequently arrested in Senegal and that Ghanaian authorities had denied it was registered under the Ghana flag despite contrary indications.
In response, the Ghana Maritime Authority said its operations, including vessel registration and enforcement actions, are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international maritime standards.
The Authority did not directly address the specific allegations but stressed its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The Authority respects the oversight responsibility of Parliament and… is fully ready and willing to provide all necessary details and engage transparently with the House,” it said in a statement.
It added that its actions are guided by the need to safeguard Ghana’s maritime domain and protect national security, while maintaining the integrity of the country’s shipping regulatory system.
The dispute sets the stage for a potential parliamentary probe into the handling of maritime enforcement and vessel registration, amid broader concerns over illicit activities in West African waters.
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