The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says its preliminary background checks on suspects arrested in connection with the €225 million cocaine seizure in France have not established that any of them is a presidential escort.
The clarification follows a claim by New Tafo Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah that one of the suspects, Musah Atta, was allegedly part of the security detail of President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
In a Facebook post on Friday, September 18, Mr Assafuah questioned how a person allegedly attached to the presidential security detail could be linked to a cocaine trafficking case of such magnitude.
“US$261.45 million cocaine bust and one accused, Musah Atta, is reportedly part of the security detail of both the President and Vice President.”
He further questioned how the alleged security operative could have become connected to the case.
NACOC says checks found no presidential escort
However, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Alexander Twum-Barimah, said checks conducted on the backgrounds of suspects currently in the Commission’s custody had not identified any of them as a presidential bodyguard or escort.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, September 20, he said NACOC had conducted background checks on all suspects in its custody.
“We have checked all the people that we have in custody, their backgrounds are known to us, and we don’t have any of them who is a Presidential escort,” he said.
Mr Twum-Barimah added that if Musah Atta had served in such a capacity, further information about his alleged role would be required before NACOC could independently confirm the claim.
“If there’s anything that they can give further and better particulars to, it will even help our investigations. But as I sit here I don’t have that, so I cannot confirm whatever Assafuah is saying,” he said.
NACOC challenges claim of dual presidential security role
Mr Twum-Barimah also disputed the suggestion that one officer could simultaneously serve as a close protection officer for both the President and Vice President.
He explained that established protection arrangements require separate security teams for the two principals.
“No, under no circumstance would you be allowed to be a close escort to the President and also be a close escort to the Vice President; it is not done that way,” he said.
Mr Twum-Barimah, who said he had undergone protection training in South Africa, explained that each security detail has sufficient personnel to operate independently.
“You must be at one wing, and each wing you have enough numbers to run. So, you will not find a close escort who will be running a dual role with the two VIPs.”
He said this aspect of the claim was inconsistent with standard close-protection arrangements.
Cocaine investigation continues
The development comes amid investigations into major cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, including the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine by French customs authorities from a container shipped from Ghana.
NACOC’s latest comments indicate that, based on the preliminary checks conducted so far, the Commission has not established that any of the suspects in its custody is a presidential escort.
The claim concerning Musah Atta’s alleged security role remains subject to further clarification and verification.
