The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), has reacted to claims circulating on social media relating to a vessel allegedly detained by the Senegalese Navy over narcotic drug offences, indicating its readiness to appear before Parliament with details if summoned.
This follows reports by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, which referenced the issue and suggested dereliction of duty by the GMA, allowing narcotic drugs on board the vessel M/V Sankofa to slip through their hands.
Mr Awuku, in a Facebook post dated April 9, 2026, indicated his intention to seek answers from the Authority in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interests.
He raised concerns over Ghana’s past association with allegations of being a haven for international illicit drug trade, warning that such concerns may be re-emerging.
The legislator cited the case of the vessel M/V Sankofa, which he claimed was arrested by the GMA in July 2025 for multiple regulatory breaches while operating in Ghanaian waters.
But in a statement issued on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the GMA clarified that all its operations, including vessel registration processes, are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international maritime standards.
It assured the public that its activities are guided by the best interests of the Republic of Ghana, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding the country’s maritime domain.
“The attention of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has been drawn to a recent Facebook post bearing the name and details of the Member of Parliament for Akwapim North, Hon Sammi Awuku”.
“The post suggests that certain issues regarding a vessel reportedly detained and boarded by the Senegalese Navy will be brought before Parliament for deliberation.
“The GMA wishes to state the following: The Authority assures the general public that all its activities, including vessel registration processes, are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international maritime standards”.
“Every action taken by the GMA is guided by the best interests of the Republic of Ghana, the safety and security of our maritime domain, and the protection of our beloved country”.
“The GMA respects the oversight responsibility of Parliament, and at the appropriate time, should the Authority be invited by Parliament, the Authority is fully ready and willing to provide all necessary details and engage transparently with the House.
“The Authority remains steadfast in execution of its mandate to regulate the maritime industry and will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity in all matters and will not compromise its stewardship”.
The Akuapim North MP had stated that the vessel, which at the time of its detention was flying the flag of São Tomé, was later allowed to leave Ghana without clear records of sanctions being applied.
Mr Awuku further alleged that the same vessel had subsequently been arrested in Senegal for allegedly transporting illicit drugs after departing from Ghana’s shores.
He also claimed that in correspondence between authorities in Senegal and Ghana, the GMA denied that the vessel, despite reportedly flying Ghana’s flag at a later stage, was registered in the country.
As part of his oversight responsibilities, the MP said he would file a formal request for information from the GMA, seeking clarification on the vessel’s entry and departure from Ghana, any enforcement actions taken, and whether sanctions or prosecutions were pursued.
He noted that obtaining answers to these questions would be critical to addressing broader concerns about compliance with Ghana’s maritime laws and to avoiding the reputational damage Ghana suffered under the Kufuor administration, a haven for the international illicit drug trade.
“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. I have come across worrying information of an alleged complicity in the oversight responsibility of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA)”.
However, the GMA in its statement avoided any detail on the vessel, including names, arrest, dates of arrival and departure of that nature, any correspondence with the Senegalese, but only stressed that it respects the oversight role of Parliament of Ghana and would fully cooperate if formally invited to appear before the House.
“Should the Authority be invited by Parliament, the Authority is fully ready and willing to provide all necessary details and engage transparently with the House,” the statement said.
The GMA also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity in discharging its mandate and to ensuring effective regulation of Ghana’s maritime sector.
Below is what Mr Awuku, on April 9, 2026, wrote on his Facebook page:
“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.
“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. This will be followed by an official request from the Ghana Maritime Authority.
“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.
I have come across worrying information of an alleged complicity in the oversight responsibility of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
“GMA is Ghana’s statutory competent agency responsible for regulating Ghana’s maritime waters to ensure the safety and security of shipping and the protection of the marine environment against ship-generated pollution.
“In the exercise of this function, GMA is to inspect ships within Ghana’s waters to ensure they comply with all international and local shipping regulations. Their function also includes the registration of ships.
GMA is to fine ships that are found to be non-compliant with the relevant regulations. GMA is also to take necessary measures to get non-compliant ships to remedy all identified deficiencies.
“Under the watch of President John Mahama, In July 2025, a Vessel M/V Sankofa was in the waters of Ghana. That vessel was arrested by GMA for breaching almost all regulatory prescriptions. 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.
“In an interesting twist, this same vessel has been arrested in Senegal for allegedly transporting illicit drugs after it sailed from the shores of Ghana.
“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.
“In my capacity as a member of Parliament for the good people of Akuapem North and Vice Chairman for Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, I will be filing a Request for
Information to the GMA for answers to the following questions:
A. Vessel Entry and Identification
- On what date did M/V Sankofa enter Ghana’s territorial waters?
- What was the first port of call/docking for the vessel in Ghana?
- Under which national flag did M/V Sankofa enter Ghana?
- Under which national flag did M/V Sankofa depart Ghana?
- On what date did M/V Sankofa depart Ghana’s territorial waters?
B. Arrest and Enforcement Actions
- Was M/V Sankofa ever arrested or detained by the GMA?
- If yes, on what date was the vessel arrested or detained?
- What were the specific regulatory breaches that formed the basis for the arrest?
C. Sanctions, Prosecution, and Compliance
- Was any individual or entity prosecuted following the arrest?
- Were any sanctions imposed on the vessel or its operators?
- Did the vessel or its operators pay any fines or penalties to the State?
- If yes, on what date was the fine or penalty paid?
- What was the total amount paid as fines or penalties?
I believe with the right answers, we can proceed to the next set of issues surrounding this violation of our laws.
