Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has formally requested detailed information from the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) over the handling of a vessel linked to an alleged drug trafficking incident.
In a letter dated April 13, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Executive of the Authority, the lawmaker invoked the Right to Information Act, 2019 to demand clarity on circumstances surrounding the vessel M/V Sankofa, which reportedly operated within Ghana’s territorial waters before being intercepted in Senegal with illicit drugs.
Mr. Awuku, who also serves as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, said the request is driven by “significant public interest” concerns related to maritime safety, regulatory compliance, and national security.
Questions over vessel’s movements
According to the MP, reports indicate that the vessel was initially detained in Ghana for regulatory breaches but was later allowed to depart under unclear circumstances.
He is seeking information on key aspects of the vessel’s entry and exit, including the dates it entered and left Ghanaian waters, its first port of call, and the national flags under which it operated during its stay.
Probe into enforcement actions
The lawmaker is also demanding details on whether the vessel was officially arrested or detained by the GMA, and if so, the specific violations that led to such action.
Additionally, he is requesting clarification on whether any individuals or entities connected to the vessel were prosecuted, and whether sanctions or penalties were imposed.
Concerns over possible regulatory lapses
Mr. Awuku further asked whether fines were paid, waived, or enforced, and who may have authorised any such decisions. He also requested documentation to confirm whether identified deficiencies on the vessel were rectified before its departure.
The MP expressed concern that the situation could point to lapses in enforcement, particularly given reports that the vessel was later intercepted in Senegal in connection with drug trafficking.
Call for transparency
He emphasised that the request is intended to ensure accountability and protect Ghana’s international reputation, especially in matters concerning maritime governance and security.
Mr. Awuku urged the Ghana Maritime Authority to provide the requested information within the timeline stipulated under the Right to Information Act.
The Ghana Maritime Authority has yet to publicly respond to the request.
