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Akosua Manu, the Advisor on Gender and Social Protection for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has expressed alarm regarding Ghana’s drug trafficking crisis and its consequences for women and children. She cautioned that heightened security measures at border crossings and airports may expose these vulnerable populations to embarrassment and psychological distress.
During an appearance on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Manu characterized the situation as a pressing national emergency. Therefore, she said it demands immediate governmental intervention.
“The evidence points to a national crisis, and my primary concern centers on women and children. When circumstances like these arise and individuals travel, women become the primary focus of suspicion,” she stated.
Manu highlighted that women frequently face removal from passenger lines, invasive searches, and public humiliation. In addition, some endure severe psychological distress that can trigger medical complications.
“Women are consistently extracted from queues, subjected to searches, and humiliated—in certain instances, the psychological impact becomes so severe it creates a medical emergency due to overwhelming fear,” she elaborated.
Her remarks come in response to multiple drug seizures connected to Ghana. Notably, the recent confiscation by French authorities involved approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine discovered within a plastic waste shipment originating from Ghana. French Customs officials intercepted the shipment at the Dunkirk port. Consequently, this has prompted concerns about the potential ramifications of intensified security protocols on Ghanaian travelers and commercial enterprises.