Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned that Ghana risks losing an entire generation of young people to drug abuse if urgent measures are not taken to address the growing threat of narcotics trafficking.

He said the proliferation of illicit drugs was threatening the health and future of young people, destroying families and undermining national productivity.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of Parliament's resumption on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, he said the consequences of drug trafficking went beyond national security concerns and Ghana's international reputation, stressing the need to address its impact on local communities.

“The proliferation of illicit drugs threatens the health and the future of our young people. It destroys families, undermines productivity, and places an increasing burden on our healthcare and social welfare systems,” he said.

He added that Ghana risked losing young people whose potential should instead be contributing to the country's development.

“We risk losing a generation of young people whose potential should be contributing to the development of our country,” he added.

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Afenyo-Markin further argued that the country must pay attention to the effects of narcotics finding their way into communities, rather than focusing solely on international drug interceptions and their diplomatic implications.

He maintained that the fight against drug trafficking should be a collective national responsibility, insisting that institutions mandated to protect the public must be held accountable for their performance.

“This is why the fight against narcotic drug trafficking must concern every Ghanaian and why the institutions entrusted with protecting our society must be held accountable,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin also said parliamentary scrutiny of institutional and regulatory weaknesses that may have facilitated drug trafficking was necessary and fell within Parliament's constitutional oversight responsibilities.

He explained that a proposed parliamentary inquiry would assess the performance of public institutions and identify weaknesses in the country's drug enforcement systems, rather than interfere with ongoing criminal investigations or court proceedings.

His comments come amid growing concerns over Ghana's links to major international narcotics seizures in recent months.

One of the notable incidents was the interception of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France.

MRA/BAI

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