The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has advised its members, supporters and sympathisers travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports to exercise heightened vigilance amid concerns over attempts to implicate innocent travellers in narcotics-related offences.
In a travel advisory signed by its National Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, the party alleged that individuals affiliated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) could attempt to introduce prohibited substances, including cocaine, into the luggage of NPP travellers for political reasons.
The party claimed that the NDC government had become desperate amid public scrutiny of its handling of narcotics-related matters, and warned its members to be alert to what it described as possible attempts to “equalise” the situation by implicating innocent NPP supporters.
“Amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s shambolic and disgraceful handling of narcotics-related matters, the NDC and John Mahama regime has become very desperate, and elements affiliated to the NDC may go to any lengths to rope in innocent members and sympathisers of the NPP just to equalise for their horrible record in the control of cocaine and other narcotics in our country,” the advisory stated
The warning follows a series of major drug seizures overseas involving consignments traced to Ghana, raising concerns about the country’s export and cargo-screening processes.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, when Spanish authorities seized 2.6 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of coconuts from Ghana. Two men were arrested after investigators tracked the consignment from the port of Valencia to a warehouse in Almería.
Against this backdrop, the NPP urged its members travelling through the country’s entry and exit points to take precautions to protect their belongings and avoid situations that could expose them to narcotics-related allegations.
“NPP members, supporters and sympathisers, travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance and take extra precautions to safeguard themselves against any potential attempts to implicate innocent NPP travellers in narcotics-related offences just for political equalisation,” the statement said.
Among the measures recommended are securely locking and wrapping luggage, maintaining personal control over personal belongings and avoiding accepting parcels or items from unverified persons, particularly those intended for delivery to third parties.
The party also urged travellers to remain alert to suspicious handling of their luggage and, where possible, record videos of their bags and how their belongings are packed.
It further advised travellers to inspect their luggage and its contents before leaving for the airport, before handing it over at check-in and whenever it is returned to their custody.
The NPP asked its members to retain luggage tags and other relevant travel documents, preserve evidence of any suspicious incidents and promptly report them to airport security or the appropriate authorities
“Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly,” the advisory urged.
The party’s claims of possible attempts to plant drugs in the luggage of its members were not accompanied by evidence in the advisory.
Read below the statement by the NPP:
COCAINE SCANDAL: TRAVEL ADVISORY TO NPP FUNCTIONARIES AND SUPPORTERS TRAVELLING THROUGH GHANA’S AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS . STAY HIGHLY VIGILANT
Amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s shambolic and disgraceful handling of narcotics-related matters, the NDC and John Mahama regime has become very desperate and elements affiliated to the NDC may go any length to rope in innocent members and sympathizers of the NPP just to equalize for their horrible record in the control of cocaine and other narcotics in our country.
NPP Travellers should remain alert to the possibility of unlawful interference with their luggage or attempts by unscrupulous individuals to introduce prohibited substances like cocaine and other illicit drugs into their personal belongings.
In view of recent cocaine-related arrests and drug trafficking incidents involving Ghanaian nationals in foreign jurisdictions under President Mahama and the NDC, all NPP members, supporters and sympathizers, traveling through Ghana’s airports and seaports are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance and take extra precautions to safeguard themselves against any potential attempts to implicate innocent NPP travellers in narcotics-related offences just for political equalisation.
To protect yourselves, all prospective travellers are urged to observe the following precautionary measures:
1. Securely Lock, Protect and wrap Your Luggage to avoid any unwholesome interference
2. Maintain Personal Control Over Your Belongings
3. Do not accept unverified Items or parcels , if possible completely avoid accepting parcels to be given to a third party
4. Remain observant of unusual handling, interference or suspicious access to your luggage. If possible video record your luggage and how belongings are packed in the luggages.
5. Preserve any relevant evidence and immediately report suspicious incidents to airport security or the appropriate authorities.
7. Inspect your bags and their contents before leaving for the airport, again before handing them over at check-in, and whenever they are returned to your custody.
8. Ensure that no unfamiliar items have been introduced into your belongings and retain your luggage tags and other relevant travel documentation.
FINAL WORD OF CAUTION
Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly.
SIGNED
HENRY NANA BOAKYE (NANA B), ESQ
NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, NPP
