The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) have intercepted 250 drums of a substance believed to be sodium cyanide at an unapproved crossing point along the Black Volta River in the Upper West Region.
The interception occurred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during a routine patrol in the Nadowli District, close to Ghana’s frontier with Burkina Faso. GIS officials suspect the chemical was intended for illegal transport into Burkina Faso.
According to preliminary reports, the seizure took place in a remote area often exploited by smugglers due to its porous nature and lack of formal customs infrastructure. The seized drums were discovered hidden near the riverbank, with no immediate sign of the individuals responsible.
Sodium cyanide is a highly toxic chemical commonly used in gold mining and, if mishandled, can pose serious risks to human health and the environment. The unauthorized movement of such hazardous substances raises red flags for both environmental regulators and national security agencies.
The GIS has launched a full-scale investigation and is working in collaboration with other national security bodies to trace the origin and destination of the consignment. Officials say intelligence gathering along the country’s northern borders will be intensified to prevent similar smuggling attempts in the future.
“This operation demonstrates the vigilance and dedication of our officers in protecting Ghana’s borders,” a senior GIS official remarked. “We are committed to ensuring that no illegal or harmful substances are trafficked through our territory.”
Meanwhile, environmental experts have called on authorities to test and confirm the chemical composition of the drums, and to ensure that proper disposal protocols are followed to prevent contamination of nearby water bodies, especially the Black Volta.
The seizure highlights the continuing challenges Ghana faces in policing its expansive and sometimes under-patrolled border regions, particularly in the context of rising concerns over environmental degradation and transnational criminal networks in the Sahel region.
