Tempers flared at the studios of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on September 23, 2026, when journalist and political commentator Charles McCarthy clashed with the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev John Ntim Fordjour.

The heated exchange occurred during a discussion on the rising transit of narcotic substances through Ghana’s ports to international destinations.

Charles McCarthy, who is also the Managing Editor of The Hawk newspaper, argued that Ghana cannot completely eradicate drug trafficking because the country lacks the sophisticated equipment and intelligence capabilities required to effectively detect and intercept narcotics.

He said even developed countries such as the United States continue to struggle with drug trafficking, suggesting that Ghana’s immediate objective should be to minimise the problem rather than attempt to eradicate it completely.

“We are a country that is struggling and don’t have anything; countries that have all the sophisticated machines and equipment with the intelligence, still drugs pass through, so there is no way that we can fight it completely but just that we can minimise it,” he said.

“What we have control over is illegal mining. We can’t fight it rather than this transit and we are crying, “he added.

McCarthy’s submission was repeatedly interrupted by Rev Ntim Fordjour, who was also a panelist on the programme.

McCarthy subsequently alleged that some Members of Parliament could be benefiting from the money involved in cocaine trafficking.

“The money involved in the cocaine smuggling; some of the MPs are part, and most of them have their price in this country,” he alleged.

Rev Ntim Fordjour interrupted him, saying, “When a journalist talks like this…” a comment that was met with laughter in the studio.

The remark angered McCarthy, who warned the MP that he could respond forcefully if he felt disrespected.

“Honourable, I can be rough. I want to put the respect I have for you down. I can be very rough. With all due respect, you must conduct yourself as an honourable Member of Parliament or I take you on and the public will be our judge,” he said.

McCarthy then challenged the MP to provide evidence for previous allegations he had made concerning alleged drug trafficking and a controversial aircraft claim he made in the past.

“What have you people done? In this country, you blew a whistle and have you been able to provide circumstantial evidence? You, sitting down as an MP, after making noise about the plane, did you bring evidence?” he asked.

“An embarrassing person like you, did you bring evidence? A Member of Parliament like you, did you bring evidence?” McCarthy added.

Rev Ntim Fordjour responded, “If we have a journalist who comes and sits here and talks like this and says everyone has a price…”

McCarthy fired back, “You have to be stupid to think that you are somebody. He is not better than me; it is an opportunity that he has.”



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