Akbar Yussif Rohullah Khomeini, spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has rejected claims that the NPP enabled or facilitated Ghana’s cocaine trade.
Describing the allegation as “the dumbest of all arguments”, Mr Khomeini said the government must instead take responsibility for what he described as security failures and their impact on Ghana’s international reputation.
“The argument that the NPP is responsible for or facilitating Ghana’s booming international cocaine trade is the dumbest of all arguments,” he wrote on Facebook.
His comments follow remarks by NDC Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko-Computer, who said members of the NPP could be invited by security agencies to provide further information on allegations that drug laboratories were operating in Ghana.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Tanko-Computer said security agencies had taken note of claims made by the NPP at a recent press conference and would seek clarification from those who made them.
“Very soon some people will be invited by the security agents to come in with further clarity to what they stated in their press conference, because we are not going to relent on this matter,” he said.
He urged the NPP to provide specific information on the alleged laboratories, including their locations and the identities of those behind them.
“They should come and give clarity to that, and where they are, where the lapses are, and who is behind the establishment of this,” he added.
Mr Tanko-Computer argued that if the opposition had intelligence on alleged drug-related activities, the information should be submitted to the appropriate security authorities rather than being raised only at a press conference.
He also appealed to the National Security Secretariat and other relevant security agencies to engage the NPP over the allegations.
The NDC official said any request for information from the opposition should not be interpreted as a threat, stressing that the government needed all available information to combat drug trafficking.
“They are opponents. They are not our enemies. We cannot threaten them. We are all looking for the betterment of Ghana,” he said.
The exchange follows claims by NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye that clandestine laboratories had allegedly been established in Ghana to process narcotics for export.
Mr Khomeini, in his response, accused government officials of attempting to deflect attention from the security situation.
“The Government must take full responsibility for its security failure and the resultant damage to Ghana’s international reputation. Deflecting on such serious matters is the height of irresponsibility, and Government officials must be candid in their commentary,” he wrote.