The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a travel advisory urging its members, supporters, and sympathisers to take extra precautions when travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports, alleging that people linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) could try to plant narcotics in their luggage.
The advisory, signed by the party’s Second National Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, said the NDC and the Mahama administration were under growing public scrutiny over their handling of narcotics-related matters. It alleged that “elements affiliated to the NDC” could go to any length to implicate innocent NPP members in drug offences, in order to offset the government’s record.
The statement characterised the government’s handling of narcotics matters as “shambolic and disgraceful”. It did not provide evidence of any such attempts to plant drugs on NPP travellers.
The party said it was concerned by recent cocaine-related arrests and trafficking incidents involving Ghanaian nationals abroad.
It urged travellers to lock, protect, and wrap their luggage, keep personal control of their belongings, and avoid accepting unverified items or parcels meant for third parties.
Travellers should also watch for unusual handling of or access to their bags and, where possible, video-record their luggage and how it is packed, the advisory said.
The NPP also advised members to inspect their bags and contents before leaving for the airport, again at check-in, and whenever the bags are returned to them. They should check that no unfamiliar items have been introduced, and keep luggage tags and travel documents.
Anyone who notices suspicious incidents should preserve any relevant evidence and report them immediately to airport security or the appropriate authorities, it said.
“Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly,” the statement concluded.
Background
The advisory follows Spanish authorities’ seizure of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine hidden in coconut containers loaded at Tema Port, details of which were released on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
At a press conference on 4 November, Mr Boakye demanded the removal of the heads of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and National Security over cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, and called for a parliamentary inquiry.
The government has previously invited the NPP to share any intelligence it holds on drug trafficking.
