A heated exchange between journalist Charles McCarthy and NPP MP Rev John Ntim Fordjour erupted during a live discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on September 23, 2026.
The two clashed while discussing concerns over the movement of narcotics through Ghana’s ports and the country’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.
McCarthy, the Managing Editor of The Hawk newspaper, argued that Ghana may struggle to completely eradicate drug trafficking because it lacks some of the sophisticated equipment and intelligence capabilities available to more developed countries.
He said even countries with advanced technology and resources continue to battle the illicit drug trade, suggesting that Ghana should focus on minimising the problem rather than expecting to eliminate it.
“We are a country that is struggling and don’t have anything; countries that have all the sophisticated machines and equipment with the intelligence, still drugs pass through, so there is no way that we can fight it completely but just that we can minimise it,” he said.
“What we have control over is illegal mining. We can’t fight it rather than this transit and we are crying,” he added.
His comments were repeatedly interrupted by Ntim Fordjour, who was also a panelist on the programme.
The exchange became more heated when McCarthy alleged that some Members of Parliament could be benefiting from the proceeds of cocaine trafficking.
“The money involved in the cocaine smuggling; some of the MPs are part, and most of them have their price in this country,” he alleged.
Ntim Fordjour immediately challenged the statement, saying, “When a journalist talks like this…” as laughter was heard in the studio.
McCarthy responded by warning the MP that he could become more confrontational if he felt disrespected.
“Honourable, I can be rough. I want to put the respect I have for you down. I can be very rough. With all due respect, you must conduct yourself as an honourable Member of Parliament or I take you on and the public will be our judge,” he said.
The journalist then challenged Ntim Fordjour over previous allegations he had made in connection with suspected drug trafficking and a controversial aircraft claim.
“What have you people done? In this country, you blew a whistle and have you been able to provide circumstantial evidence? You, sitting down as an MP, after making noise about the plane, did you bring evidence?” McCarthy asked.
He went on to directly attack the MP, saying, “An embarrassing person like you, did you bring evidence? A Member of Parliament like you, did you bring evidence?”
Ntim Fordjour responded by questioning McCarthy’s comments about MPs allegedly having a price.
“If we have a journalist who comes and sits here and talks like this and says everyone has a price…” he said.
McCarthy then fired back, saying, “You have to be stupid to think that you are somebody. He is not better than me; it is an opportunity that he has.”
The exchange brought the discussion into a tense confrontation, with both men defending their positions as the debate over Ghana’s growing concerns about narcotics trafficking continued.
