A Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has raised serious concerns over the handling of a vessel linked to alleged drug trafficking, announcing plans to formally demand answers from the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
Speaking in his capacity as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, Mr. Awuku said he intends to hold state institutions accountable by asking “the right questions” and ensuring transparency in the discharge of their mandates.
His concerns centre on a vessel identified as M/V Sankofa, which he claims was previously arrested by the GMA in July 2025 for multiple regulatory breaches while operating in Ghana’s territorial waters.
According to him, the vessel, which was flying the flag of São Tomé at the time, was allegedly released without clear records of sanctions or enforcement actions being applied by the Authority.
“Under the watch of President John Mahama, In July 2025, a Vessel M/V Sankofa was in the waters of Ghana. That vessel was arrested by GMA for breaching almost all regulatory prescriptions. At the time of her arrest, the vessel was flying under the flag of São Tomé. However, without any official records of how the GMA applied the sanctions prescribed by law for such breaches, the vessel was allowed to sail out of Ghana.
“In an interesting twist, this same vessel has been arrested in Senegal for allegedly transporting illicit drugs after it sailed from the shores of Ghana .
“In email correspondence between Senegal and Ghana, that I have sighted, GMA denied that the vessel, despite flying under the flag of Ghana, is not registered in Ghana,” he stated.
Mr. Awuku described the development as troubling, particularly following reports that the same vessel has since been intercepted in Senegal for allegedly transporting illicit drugs after departing Ghanaian waters.
He further alleged inconsistencies in official communication, noting that the GMA reportedly denied registering the vessel despite indications that it may have been operating under Ghana’s flag at some point.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the lawmaker warned that the situation risks bringing back perceptions of Ghana as a transit hub for international drug trafficking, stressing the need for urgent clarification.
“As a country, we have suffered in the past from allegations of being a haven for illicit drug trade, and there is cause for concern that these issues may be resurfacing,” he said.
Mr. Awuku disclosed that he will file a formal Request for Information to the GMA, seeking detailed responses on the vessel’s entry and exit from Ghana, its registration status, enforcement actions taken, and whether any fines, sanctions, or prosecutions were carried out.
He emphasised that the answers will guide further parliamentary action to ensure accountability and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s maritime oversight system.
