National Security Minister-designate Kan Dapaah has denied claims he did nothing to avert a cocaine haul in Ghana during his tenure as minister in the Kufuor administration.

His comments were in response to a petition sent by a member of the general public to Parliament's Appointment Committee.

READ ALSO: National Security Ministry will make government more accountable - Kan-Dapaah

The memorandum also quoted a Wikileaks report in which an agent, John King, had accused Kan Dapaah of being "dismissive and irritated" when the cocaine issue was mentioned to him.

But appearing before the appointment committee on Friday, Kan Dapaah said he was not at post when the ship carrying cocaine docked in Ghana.

He explained that he was appointed as Interior Minister on May 5, 2006, but the said ship docked on May 3, 2006.

He said it took him more than a week to take office and cannot, therefore, be accused of being aware and doing nothing about it.

He also explained that as Interior Minister, his role in NACOB was only administrative and hence their operational activities did not fall under his role.

When responding to the Wikileaks report, Mr Dapaah said he indeed spoke with the said agent John King but was never irritated or dismissive.

He explained that he only defended his actions and decisions when the King raised strong and passionate points on the subject matter.

"The agent was aware that my role as minister of the interior was such that I wouldn’t be involved in the operational  matters…and he made his point strongly. In an equal manner, I also made my point strongly. I said to  him that I did not share his view as far as it related to him.

“I really don’t understand how he thought I was irritated and dismissive. If making my views   known to him is what he calls dismissive then I disagree,” he said.

Kan Dapaah’s sitting on Friday was subsequently held in camera as his portfolio was deemed as most sensitive to the security of the country.