‘Cocaine economy’ – Minority chants after 2027 Budget presentation in parliament

Minority Members of Parliament disrupted proceedings after the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on Thursday, November 12, 2026, chanting “Cocaine!” and “Cocaine economy!” in protest against what they described as the government’s failure to tackle drug trafficking in the country.

The MPs rose to their feet amidst chants just after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson finished presenting the Budget in Parliament, drawing attention to recent cocaine seizures involving consignments traced to Ghana.

Some members of the caucus also displayed placards bearing messages accusing the government of presiding over a “scam economy” and failing to secure the country’s borders against the trafficking of narcotic substances.

The demonstration appeared to be a deliberate attempt by the Minority to put the issue of drug trafficking at the centre of the parliamentary proceedings, using the high-profile budget presentation to draw public attention to their concerns.

The protest comes amid growing political exchanges over recent cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, including the seizure of 2.6 tonnes of the substance by Spanish authorities at the Port of Valencia.

The Minority’s actions added a political dimension to the budget presentation, which was expected to focus on the government’s economic priorities and spending plans for 2027.

The chants and placards turned the parliamentary floor into a platform for the caucus to register its dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the narcotics trafficking concerns.