In an unprecedented move, the New Patriotic Party, NPP Minority Caucus in Parliament has formally reached out to the Diplomatic Corps in Accra, urging international intervention in the unfolding scandal surrounding two suspicious flights that allegedly arrived in Ghana from Gran Canaria, a Spanish Island with links to illicit goods and funds.
The petition, dated Tuesday, April 8, 2025, was addressed to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana, H.E. Maher Kheir, by Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, on behalf of the Minority Caucus.
“I, formally write, for and on behalf of the Minority Caucus on the Committee, to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps…to intervene in the ongoing Gran Canaria flights scandal,” the MP said.
He called for diplomatic collaboration with Ghanaian security and intelligence agencies “to unravel the puzzle, conundrum, and controversy surrounding the matter.”
The appeal to the international community follows a press conference held by the Minority on April 1, 2025, during which they raised alarm over the suspicious landing of AirMed and Cavok Air flights allegedly carrying illicit cargo.
Following public pressure, President Mahama directed state agencies to investigate the claims.
But what began as a call for transparency took a controversial turn. The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, publicly downplayed the allegations.
“He attempted to make a U-turn by dismissing the allegations, calling the investigations ‘a waste of time,’ and insinuating that the President did not mean it,” the petition noted.
That response, according to the Minority, undermines the credibility of the President’s directive and raises concerns about the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
Contradictions and Alarming Revelations
Adding fuel to the fire, the Minority says independent verification now contradicts the government’s official account of the flight routes.
“Today, independent checks have confirmed the Minority’s claims that the two AirMed flights flew to KIA straight from Gran Canaria, contrary to the Minister’s claim that the flight came from Luanda.”
Moreover, the flight history of the referenced Cavok Air aircraft remains murky.
“Searches have not shown that these flights flew into the country on the said dates,” they noted, insisting that these discrepancies “call for thorough investigations to unravel the mystery behind the movement of these flights.”
Ghana’s International Obligations
The Minority’s petition reminded the Diplomatic Corps of Ghana’s binding obligations under several international treaties—including the UN Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Transnational Organised Crime—to actively combat cross-border drug trafficking and money laundering.
“We have adopted legislative, regulatory and administrative measures… including the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044),” the MP wrote.
He argued that these laws were designed not only to protect Ghana’s internal integrity but also to ensure the country remains in good standing with the international community.
“Transnational organized crime, particularly involving illicit traffic in drugs and money-laundering, have serious effects, not only on our country but on global security and peace.”
Five Appeals to the Diplomatic Corps
The Minority laid out five specific requests to the Diplomatic Corps:
1. Share intelligence on the aircraft and flights concerned.
2. Facilitate international collaboration with Ghanaian security agencies.
3. Assist Parliament and state institutions in preventing Ghana from being labeled a “drug state.”
4. Encourage the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry under Article 278 of the Constitution to impartially investigate the matter.
5. Ensure the safety and protection of whistleblowers, especially Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee.
“It is through investigations that we can establish the veracity or otherwise of such allegations, and where appropriate, prosecute offenders to serve as deterrent,” the petition emphasized.
An Urgent Call for Action
Framing the petition as a national security issue with global ramifications, the Minority concluded:
“Action in this matter is urgent and consequential for national and international security.”
By involving the international community, the Minority aims not only to ensure a credible investigation but also to shield the process from political interference.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
