Ghana lacks functional intrusive narcotic detection scanners at ports of entry, says MP John Ntim Fordjour
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Rev John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has expressed concern regarding Ghana's capacity to detect narcotics at its entry points. Speaking on TV3 on April 26, 2026, the lawmaker stated that his investigations at major airports and seaports revealed a lack of operational intrusive narcotic detection scanners. He clarified that he was referring specifically to intrusive narcotic detection scanners, not ordinary security scanners. Rev Fordjour asserted that his claims are based on verified information and internal checks. He also mentioned filing a parliamentary question to the Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, who confirmed the absence of functional detection scanners, attributing it to equipment breakdown. The Minister indicated that steps are being taken to acquire new scanners, pending funding availability. Ntim Fordjour's recent follow-up checks at the Ghana Airports Company Limited suggest that procurement processes have been initiated but are not yet complete.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Dr. James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, also known as Kabila, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra UPSA, has criticized the government's actions regarding the leadership of the Ghana Grid Company Limited GRIDCo. Speaking on JoyNews' AM Show, Dr. Bomfeh questioned the reported directive from the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, for GRIDCo's Chief Executive Officer, Ing Mark Awuah Baah, to step aside. Dr. Bomfeh stated that the GRIDCo CEO was already scheduled to retire in June 2026 and had previously been instructed to go on leave as part of the transition process. He argued that linking the CEO's departure to ongoing power outages without clear reasons constitutes political theatrics and a lack of consistency in governance. Dr. Bomfeh urged authorities to be transparent and to outline concrete actions if the CEO's exit is indeed related to the power challenges, emphasizing the need for accountability and decisive action rather than what he termed "gimmickry" in addressing critical national issues.
Ghana's Cabinet has approved a new electronic visa e-visa policy, aiming to enhance tourism, business, and regional integration. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision, stating that the system will allow travelers to apply for visas online. President John Dramani Mahama initially unveiled the policy on April 2, 2026. From May 25, 2026, coinciding with Africa Day, African travelers will be able to apply for e-visas online at no cost. This initiative removes the $150 fee previously charged to African Union nationals for visas on arrival, though an application and screening process will still be required. The government assures that the e-visa platform will integrate with Ghana’s Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems, as well as international crime databases, to maintain security. This move aligns with Ghana's broader strategy to be open for investment and exploration, joining countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles in easing visa restrictions across Africa.
A fire destroyed the District Magistrate Courts ‘A’ and ‘B’ in Sunyani, leading to the loss of vital documents, computers, and other essential materials. The blaze, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, left the judicial facility in charred remains. ADO I Kwame Adomako Antwi, the Bono Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, confirmed the extensive destruction, stating that wood, chairs, documents, computers, and air conditioners were all razed. The fire is believed to have started around 3:00 AM, and the alarm was raised by a “running caller” who physically reported the incident to a fire station. Firefighters from the Sunyani Fire Station responded, later joined by two tenders from the Abesim Fire Station. However, efforts were hampered as one fire tender ran out of water, another developed a fault, and there was a struggle to find water within the municipality, with fire hydrants reported as dry. The lack of water allowed the fire to spread uncontrollably, consuming everything inside the court buildings before it was eventually brought under control.
Must ReadCole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, has been identified as the individual who caused a disturbance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The incident led to the evacuation of US President Donald Trump from the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom, where approximately 2,500 guests were gathered. Police reported that Allen breached a security checkpoint and fired at a Secret Service agent, who survived due to a bullet-proof vest. Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. He was apprehended and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed that Allen was believed to be a guest at the hotel, and a room linked to him was secured. President Trump described Allen as a "lone wolf whack job." Officials stated Allen had no prior criminal record. His LinkedIn profile indicates he was a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a video game developer, and a graduate of the California Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, also holding a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills. He was previously featured in a 2017 news report for developing a wheelchair emergency brake prototype.