The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has announced plans to formally question the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in Parliament regarding the handling of a vessel that later surfaced in Senegal in connection with alleged illicit drug trafficking.
Awuku, who serves as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interests, stated that he will file an official request for information to demand answers about the circumstances under which the vessel, identified as MV Sankofa, was allowed to leave Ghanaian waters despite earlier regulatory breaches.
“As Vice Chairman for Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, I intend to perform my duties with the aim of assisting these State Institutions in delivering on their mandate and remaining committed to serving the Nation,” he said. “Today I will be asking the right questions and will demand the right answers from those expected to perform their duties in the interest of Mother Ghana.”
According to Awuku, MV Sankofa was arrested by the Ghana Maritime Authority in July 2025 while operating within Ghana’s waters. He alleged that the vessel had breached several maritime regulations at the time of its arrest.
“At the time of her arrest, the vessel was flying under the flag of São Tomé. However, without any official records of how the GMA applied the sanctions prescribed by law for such breaches, the vessel was allowed to sail out of Ghana,” he explained.
Awuku described subsequent developments as troubling, noting that the same ship had since been arrested in Senegal for allegedly transporting illicit drugs.
The MP also raised concerns about inconsistencies in the vessel’s registration status. He disclosed that correspondence between authorities in Ghana and Senegal suggested uncertainty about whether the vessel was properly registered.
“In email correspondence between Senegal and Ghana that I have sighted, GMA denied that the vessel, despite flying under the flag of Ghana, is not registered in Ghana,” he revealed.
Awuku warned that the situation raises wider national security concerns, particularly given Ghana’s past association with international drug trafficking allegations.
“In the past, Ghana has suffered from allegations of being a haven for international illicit drug trade. Unfortunately, there is cause for concern that these allegations may be resurfacing sooner than later,” he cautioned.
Formal Parliamentary Questions to Follow
Awuku confirmed that he will formally seek answers from the Ghana Maritime Authority on several key issues, including:
- When the vessel entered Ghanaian waters
- Its first port of call
- The flag it sailed under both on entry and departure
- Whether the vessel was prosecuted or fined following its arrest
- Whether any penalties were paid to the state
“I believe with the right answers we can proceed to the next set of issues surrounding this violation of our laws,” he concluded.
