Former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwa-Manu demanded stronger intelligence sharing among Ghana’s security agencies to combat rising drug trafficking, pointing to recent cocaine seizures and proposing a parliamentary recall for a coordinated national response as intelligence experts highlighted broader regional security architectures across Africa.
Intelligence institutions remain indispensable for preserving peace, security, and constitutional governance across the continent, according to a recent analysis examining the strategic importance of intelligence agencies. Modern security threats have evolved far beyond traditional interstate conflicts, expanding into complex transnational challenges.
Transnational Security Threats Facing African Nations
Contemporary security environments across the continent are increasingly dynamic and interconnected. State institutions now confront a wave of violent extremism, terrorism, transnational organized crime, cyber threats, maritime insecurity, irregular migration, climate-induced insecurity, pandemics, disinformation, and unconstitutional regime changes. Because these cross-border challenges undermine democratic governance and sustainable development, governments must shift from reactive security measures to intelligence-led decision-making.
Intelligence serves as a fundamental instrument of statecraft by transforming raw information into actionable knowledge for national decision-makers. Continental and regional cooperation through the African Union, the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa, AFRIPOL, the Continental Early Warning System, and Regional Economic Communities provide an essential architecture for addressing these shared dangers. No single state can tackle regional security dynamics in isolation.
Kofi Amankwa-Manu Calls for Coordinated Drug Trafficking Response in Ghana
This regional vulnerability is mirrored on the ground in Ghana, where mounting concern over major cocaine consignments prompted former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwa-Manu to urge a sweeping overhaul of inter-agency coordination. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he emphasized that criminal networks are outpacing fragmented departmental efforts.
“This is a worrying, you know, thing which has to be tackled holistically. At tomorrow’s meeting, let me dare say that one thing I really want to see happen is the strengthening of the efficient and effective sharing of intelligence amongst, you know, all the security agencies, especially with regards to this fight against drug trafficking.”
Kofi Amankwa-Manu, former Deputy Defence Minister
The push for systemic reform follows a series of high-profile narcotics seizures linked to the country. French customs intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden inside a container of plastic waste that had originated in Ghana. Domestically, Ghanaian authorities seized 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at the Tema Harbour enclave in August, alongside 192 compressed parcels in Wa.
Parliamentary Recall and Legislative Strategy
To mount an effective defense against the escalating drug trade, the former deputy ranking member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee intends to approach parliamentary leadership. He argues that legislative bodies must return to session to debate actionable countermeasures and support executive branch initiatives.
“From Parliament, especially from the opposition, what we can say is we have said. We’ve raised the issues, and in fact, I will want to approach the leadership of Parliament to really bring Parliament back for us to have an in-depth discussion in helping the government to fight this canker.”
Kofi Amankwa-Manu, former Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee
Parliamentary engagement would leverage existing legislative machinery, specifically pointing to the Committee for Defence and Interior and the Committee on Security and Intelligence. Under this proposed timeline, specialized committees would conduct detailed investigative and analytical work before bringing their findings to the full plenary for broader debate.
“We have committees. We have committees, and the Committee for Defence and Interior, and then the Committee on Security and Intelligence. But after the committee has done its work, it has to come to plenary for others to also add their voices so that we can then send whatever we need to assist government in the fight against this canker, because it is getting out of hand, and the earlier something drastic and something major is done, the better it will be for the country.”
Kofi Amankwa-Manu, former Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee
Beyond structural changes, security personnel require enhanced professional training to stay ahead of sophisticated underground syndicates. Amankwa-Manu explicitly endorsed expert insights raised by Dr. Ishmael Norman regarding personnel preparation, asserting that maintaining operational superiority over criminal enterprises is non-negotiable for national security.