Director of Protocol to former Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kofi Tonto, has accused President John Dramani Mahama of failing to adequately protect Ghana’s international image amid a series of cocaine seizures linked to the country.

He observed that the increasing number of major cocaine busts is alarming and questioned the effectiveness of the country’s security agencies.

“President Mahama is not doing enough to protect Ghana’s image. The increasing number of cocaine busts is alarming and damaging the country’s reputation. What exactly are the security agencies doing?” he asked on Accra-based Asempa Fm

He argued that the issue was not about expecting the government to completely eradicate drug trafficking, which he said had existed in Ghana for some time, but about putting effective measures in place to mitigate the problem.

“We are not saying cocaine issues just started. The person will be a liar if he says it will not happen again because we have certain vices we are predisposed to; it has become part of our society,” he said.

According to Kofi Tonto, the responsibility of government is to control the situation and prevent Ghana from suffering reputational damage internationally.

“As a President, we do not expect full or total eradication. We want mitigation and the ability to control and protect the image of this country,” he stated.

He further claimed that about 12 tonnes of cocaine had left Ghana in the previous four months before being intercepted, describing the situation as a major embarrassment to the country.

“President Mahama’s failures are now even going international. The country is being disgraced,” he said.