NDC’s Benjamin Quashie: Slams Ntim Fordjour over cocaine allegations, labels claims as propaganda

Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie is the Chairperson of the South African Council of Elders for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He criticized Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, an MP from Assin South, over cocaine allegations. Quashie called these claims politically motivated and lacking evidence.

He questioned Rev. Fordjour's motives for his public comments. Quashie challenged him to provide credible evidence to state authorities. "If he has proof, let him hand it over to the State," he stated.

Quashie added that if the government wanted to act against Fordjour, they would have done so already. He mentioned that legal processes are underway and nearing completion. "The Speaker may be out of town, but due process continues," he emphasized.

He also addressed comparisons between Rev. Fordjour and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, now Minister of Foreign Affairs. Quashie argued that their cases are not similar. "Ablakwa raises issues backed by concrete evidence," he said, while Rev. Fordjour went to the media with unsubstantiated claims.

On drug-related controversies, Quashie warned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against politicizing these matters. He referenced past incidents under NPP governments involving drug trafficking arrests as a reminder not to use this issue for political gain.

"There’s no room for equalization here," he stated firmly. "It was under the NPP that an MP was jailed for drug offenses—Rev. Fordjour knows that."

Quashie concluded by warning that politicizing drug trafficking could harm Ghana as a whole. "If the NPP thinks this will affect the NDC, they are mistaken," he stressed. He noted it damages Ghana's image and urged them to realize this quickly.

These comments were made during a newspaper review panel discussion on Accra-Joy FM on April 7, 2025.