“Inter-agency collaboration will make security operations more effective” – Richard Kumadoe

Security consultant Richard Kumadoe has called for stronger collaboration among Ghana’s security agencies to combat drug trafficking and other organised crimes through the country’s ports and borders.

Speaking on the Asaaseradio on Friday (18 September), Kumadoe said the recent meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and the security chiefs was part of a routine security briefing and assessment, rather than an indication that Ghana’s borders were no longer secure.

He said the agencies used the meeting to present their achievements, challenges and requirements to the President, who subsequently directed them to strengthen inter-agency cooperation.

“Individually as agencies, you work so well, but go and work together as a combined team in what we call inter-agency collaboration,” Kumadoe said.

According to him, the directive is intended to ensure that agencies share information and coordinate their operations more effectively, particularly at the country’s ports and airports.

Kumadoe also disclosed that the National Authority for the Control of Alcohol and Drugs (NACDA) had made significant seizures and arrests in recent months, citing the destruction of 9.6 tonnes of cocaine and drug-related substances in June.

He said such seizures demonstrate that law enforcement agencies are putting pressure on criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.

He identified arrests, quality investigations, prosecution outcomes and the confiscation of assets linked to crime as key measures for assessing the performance of law enforcement agencies.

“Anytime you hear there’s a lot of publications about drugs and other crimes, human trafficking, money laundering, and arms peddling, it’s rather clear to see that the law enforcement officers are putting pressure on the criminals,” he said.

Kumadoe said organised criminal networks cannot be completely eliminated, but security agencies can make the operating environment increasingly difficult for them through effective investigations, prosecutions and asset confiscation.

NACDA to return to ports
Kumadoe further said the President’s directive includes measures to increase operational space for the anti-drug agency at the country’s ports.

He said the agency had previously been removed from the Tema and Takoradi ports following an executive order in 2018, but the latest directive would allow it to increase its presence at the ports.

He explained that the move would enable the agency to work alongside other security institutions to monitor activities and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s ports.

“Within the two weeks going forward, [the President wants to] increase space for NACDA to get back to the port,” he said.

Kumadoe also said security agencies had informed the President that 10 people, including customs officers, were in custody as investigations into suspected drug trafficking continued.

He explained that authorities may withhold the identities of people under investigation to avoid compromising ongoing investigations or alerting other persons who may be involved.

He stressed that being investigated did not necessarily mean that the individuals had been found guilty of a crime.

Task force roadmap
On the proposed inter-agency task force expected to develop a roadmap within two weeks, Kumadoe said the directive should not necessarily be interpreted as the creation of another standalone security institution.

Rather, he said, it should ensure that existing security agencies operating at the ports, airports and other entry points coordinate their activities.

“When you go to Tema port, you have all the security agencies there. So they must work together as an inter-agency collaborative force,” he said.

He added that agencies including the police, intelligence services, customs and the anti-drug authorities already operate within these locations and should improve information-sharing and joint operations.