The controversy surrounding the alleged arrival of two suspicious aircraft at Kotoka International Airport has exploded into a full-blown political and legal storm.
At the centre of it all is Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, who has accused the government of concealing critical national security issues.
In a fiery escalation, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, referred to Rev. Fordjour as a “noisemaker” during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, and implied that he would have been ignored under a John Mahama administration.
“The investigation is just so that an example will be set, for people to refrain from such behaviour,” Kwakye Ofosu remarked, suggesting the probe was more about deterrence than truth-seeking.
But Rev. Fordjour, who was also on the show, did not take kindly to the statement.
“I have taken judicial notice of that statement and I am going to sue Kwakye Ofosu. The threat is clear; he is saying they are not interested in investigations but only want to make an example out of me,” he fired back.
“This is a wilful attempt to prosecute and cause harm. These are enough evidence.”
Background
Rev. Fordjour ignited national debate when he alleged that two aircraft—AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov AN-12B—landed in Ghana between March 20 and 25, 2025, allegedly carrying cocaine and large amounts of U.S. dollars.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), to which John Ntim Fordjour belongs, has since called for an independent investigation.
The allegations gained further traction after Fordjour demanded answers regarding 12 containers allegedly intercepted by National Security on February 9.
He claims the containers were filled with gold and foreign currency. Fordjour also cited silence over a $500 million drug bust as evidence of a troubling national security cover-up.
In a separate statement made via Asaase Radio, Fordjour accused the government of systematically evading accountability.
“This government is increasingly showing a troubling unwillingness to be accountable on matters that affect the very fabric of our national security,” he asserted.
He further warned: “Our country cannot be allowed to be suddenly turned into a hub for cocaine and money laundering. They must come again.”
Calls for Arrest and Heated Exchanges
Multiple Government officials, including Defence Minister Omane Boamah, have slammed Fordjour’s claims as baseless.
“Repent; your lies won’t stand,” Boamah said. Kwakye Ofosu doubled down, accusing Fordjour of “peddling falsehoods” and warned of consequences for misleading the public.
Despite President Mahama’s directive for an investigation, Fordjour remains skeptical and combative.
“I am ready; they can come and make every example they want out of me. I have never seen any government intolerant like this. They can crucify me, jail me for 100 years; we will expose them,” he declared.
NPP Condemns
The NPP has issued a strong condemnation of the government’s handling of the suspected drug trafficking and money laundering saga involving foreign aircraft that recently landed in Ghana.
In a statement released on Sunday April 6, 2025, the NPP expressed its dissatisfaction with the government’s response to growing public questions regarding the presence of the AirMed light N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B aircraft in the country.
The NPP Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah, called for full transparency and accountability from the government, demanding a detailed explanation of the mission and cargo onboard these planes.
“Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s explanation regarding the aircraft’s presence and operations in Ghana has not met public expectations. His response was scanty and primarily defensive, deepening public suspicion and concern,” the NPP statement read.
The party highlighted several issues surrounding the two foreign aircraft, both of which reportedly developed faults during their time in Ghana. The NPP raised questions about the authenticity of the government’s narrative, especially after the aircraft’s unexpected technical problems.
“The story about the two jets is baffling, and the idea that the government will politicize citizens’ legitimate desire to know whether the aircraft were on an illegal mission reinforces the suspicion that the government’s explanation is contrived,” the NPP asserted.
In addition to the concerns over the foreign aircraft, the NPP has called for an update on two significant drug trafficking cases that have raised alarms nationally.
These cases include the $350 million cocaine bust in Cape Coast and the $150 million cocaine seizure in Sekondi, both of which allegedly involve members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The political explanation Felix Kwakye Ofosu offered failed to address the request for an update on these drug arrests,” the statement continued, accusing the government of silence on these high-profile cases.
The NPP contended that the government’s failure to address these matters undermines public trust, especially given the alleged connections to senior political figures in the NDC.
The NPP has also expressed concern that the government is trivializing issues of drug trafficking and money laundering, matters that are of international importance.
“We wish to caution the government that it should not trivialize issues concerning drug trafficking and money laundering, as we have witnessed thus far,” the NPP warned.
“These are matters of international interest, and Ghana’s credibility and compliance with international obligations are at stake.”
-BY Daniel Bampoe
