The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North Constituency in the Eastern Region, Samuel Awuku, has formally invoked the transparency laws to demand deta
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North Constituency in the Eastern Region, Samuel Awuku, has formally invoked the transparency laws to demand detailed answers from the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) over the handling of the controversial vessel M/V Sankofa, deepening an already unfolding national debate on maritime oversight and security.
In an official correspondence addressed to the Chief Executive of the GMA, the lawmaker cited provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) to request access to critical information concerning the vessel’s activities within the territorial waters.
Sammi Awuku, who also serves as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, indicated that his request is driven by matters of “significant public interest,” particularly relating to maritime safety, regulatory compliance, and national security.
The move follows growing concerns about the historical vulnerability to transnational crimes, including allegations of being used as a transit point for the illicit drug trade.
The issue has resurfaced following reports that M/V Sankofa, after being detained in Ghana for regulatory breaches, was later intercepted in Senegal in connection with alleged drug trafficking.
According to the MP’s request, the circumstances under which the vessel was handled by Ghanaian authorities remain unclear, especially regarding enforcement actions and compliance with maritime regulations. He is therefore seeking comprehensive documentation and clarification from the GMA.
Among the key areas of inquiry outlined in the request are details surrounding the vessel’s entry and exit from Ghana, including the exact dates it entered and departed the country’s territorial waters, its first port of call, and the national flags under which it operated during its stay in Ghana.
Sammi Awuku is also demanding clarity on whether the vessel was officially arrested or detained by the GMA, the specific regulatory breaches that led to such action, and the timeline of any enforcement measures taken.
Crucially, the request probes whether any sanctions were imposed on the vessel or its operators, whether fines or penalties were paid, and if any individuals or entities were prosecuted. It further seeks to establish whether there were waivers of penalties, the justification for such decisions, and the authorities responsible for approving them.
The MP has additionally requested documentation to confirm whether all identified deficiencies during the vessel’s inspection were rectified before it was allowed to leave Ghanaian waters, as well as any undertakings signed between the vessel’s operators and the GMA.
“This request is made in the public interest to ensure accountability in the enforcement of the maritime laws and to safeguard the country’s reputation and security,” Sammi Awuku stated in the letter, while urging the Authority to comply within the statutory timeframe outlined under Act 989.
The development marks a significant escalation in parliamentary oversight of the matter, coming shortly after the GMA publicly defended its operations and denied suggestions that the issue had already been scheduled for parliamentary deliberation.
With pressure mounting and questions lingering, Sammi Awuku’s formal request signals a determined push to uncover the full facts behind the M/V San. Thissuesue that now sits at the intersection of governance, security, and international standing.
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