Sowatey: Repeated drug arrests could affect Ghana’s international reputation

Criminologist Emmanuel Sowatey says repeated drug trafficking cases involving travellers from Ghana could have consequences for the country’s international reputation if authorities fail to address vulnerabilities in the criminal justice and security system.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Sowatey said the significance of such arrests should be considered not only at the level of individual suspects but also in terms of what repeated incidents could mean for Ghana as a country.

He cautioned against drawing conclusions about an organised trafficking pattern without sufficient evidence, saying the appropriate unit of analysis could range from individual offenders to the country itself.

Sowatey said even where individual suspects are not connected to the same organised criminal network, repeated use of a particular country as part of criminal activity could expose vulnerabilities that require attention.

He said the issue could also have implications for Ghanaian travellers and businesses if the country becomes associated with drug trafficking.

“Your country’s image, reputation, some of the drug busts in terms of frequency, scale and nature can undermine your international legitimacy,” he said.

Sowatey explained that perceptions associated with a country can affect how its citizens are treated internationally, including in relation to travel and legitimate business activities.

He said such effects could potentially extend beyond the current generation because perceptions attached to a nationality or passport can persist over time.

The criminologist also stressed that organised crime is broader than drug trafficking and can include activities such as human trafficking, cybercrime, illegal firearms, fraud, money laundering, people smuggling and identity-related crimes.

He said Ghana’s response should therefore take account of the interconnected nature of organised crime rather than treating each offence in isolation.

Sowatey also welcomed efforts by the government to strengthen coordination among security agencies, saying a multi-agency approach is important in dealing with transnational organised crime.

He argued that Ghana’s response should combine intelligence, technology, law enforcement, civil society participation and public cooperation.

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