Drug traffickers in Ghana are buying their own scanners and exploiting insiders to beat security checks, the head of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has told Parliament, according to a report by Graphic Online.
NACOC Director-General Maxwell Obuba Mantey made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when he appeared before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, which was examining findings from the Auditor-General's reports.
According to Graphic Online, Mantey said an ongoing investigation involves a trafficker who bought a scanner to test whether drugs would show up when scanned. He said the suspect "had bought his own scanner to try and see whether when drugs are scanned, there will be images." He did not identify the person.
Responding to concerns about security lapses at the country's main airport, Mantey said some security personnel allegedly use their positions to bypass screening procedures, Graphic Online reports.
He described a case in which a supervisory security officer allegedly entered the airport with a bag without being screened, went to a washroom, swapped bags with a traveller, and the traveller continued towards a flight. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the officer was not named.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who also appeared before the committee, said weak screening can be exploited when officers compromise controls, according to Graphic Online.
He said the government is working to expand the use of technology and intelligence-sharing among security agencies, to reduce reliance on manual inspections that are more vulnerable to abuse.
The report did not include figures on drug seizures or arrests, or specific requests to Parliament for funding or new powers. Talk Talk will update this story if NACOC or the Interior Ministry releases more details.
Ghana has long been identified by international agencies as a transit point for drugs, particularly cocaine moving from South America to Europe, and for other substances moving through West Africa. Airports and seaports are key points in that trade, which is why screening at Kotoka International Airport and the ports of Tema and Takoradi is closely watched.
NACOC was established under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, replacing the former Narcotics Control Board. The commission is responsible for preventing, detecting and investigating drug trafficking, and for public education on drug abuse.
Security experts say insider threats are among the hardest risks to manage at airports and ports, because staff with legitimate access can bypass systems designed to stop outsiders. Strategies to reduce the risk include regular staff screening, rotating duties, surveillance and stronger oversight of supervisors.
Mantey's comments suggest that technology alone is not enough, and that the integrity of personnel is just as important in the fight against trafficking.
Drug trafficking can fuel crime, corruption and drug abuse at home, and damage Ghana's reputation abroad. When travellers from a country are linked to trafficking, it can lead to tighter checks on all passengers from that country, affecting ordinary travellers and businesses.
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee examines the Auditor-General's reports on how public institutions use state funds and follow financial rules. Heads of agencies are regularly called before the committee to answer questions on audit findings, and the hearings are often broadcast, making them an important tool for public accountability.
Lawmakers are likely to press for answers on how security agencies plan to tighten screening and deal with officers who abuse their positions. The progress of NACOC's ongoing investigations will also be closely followed.
