Deputy Director-General of NACOC in charge of Enforcement, Control and Elimination, Alexander Twum-Barimah, made the clarification during an interview on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

His comments followed a claim by New Tafo Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah that one of the suspects, identified as Musah Atta, was allegedly part of the security detail of President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

Mr Assafuah had questioned how an individual allegedly connected to the presidential security detail could be linked to a major international cocaine trafficking case.

However, Mr Twum-Barimah said NACOC had conducted background checks on all suspects currently in its custody and found no indication that any of them was a presidential escort.

He added that the Commission could not independently confirm the MP’s claim without further details about the alleged security role of Musah Atta, but said additional information could assist the ongoing investigation.

The NACOC official also challenged the assertion that one person could simultaneously serve as a close protection officer for both the President and Vice President. He explained that established security arrangements require separate personnel and teams for the two principals.

The clarification comes after French customs seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, concealed in a container carrying plastic waste from Ghana, at the port of Dunkirk. The shipment had an estimated street value of €225 million (about US$261 million) and was reportedly partly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

NACOC subsequently arrested three suspects in Ghana over their alleged involvement in the shipment and said they were assisting investigators. The Commission has maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that the rights and legal protections of persons under investigation will be respected.

NACOC’s latest clarification therefore establishes that, based on the Commission’s checks so far, no suspect currently in its custody has been identified as a presidential escort. The investigation remains ongoing, and further information could emerge as authorities continue examining the case.

Photo courtesy: Mr. Twum Barimah