The Ranking Member of the Committee on Defence and Interior, and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has renewed his demand for transparency from the government regarding the status of 12 containers allegedly filled with gold and cash confiscated by National Security on February 9, 2025.
The Minority Caucus is also pressing for updates on the investigations into major cocaine busts amounting to $500 million.
Their demands come in the wake of growing concerns over Ghana’s potential emergence as a hub for drug trafficking and money laundering.
The controversy was triggered by Rev. Fordjour’s claims that two suspicious aircraft landed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in March 2025, allegedly carrying illicit substances and cash.
The government, through Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed the critical issues, by describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
Government Dismisses Allegations as Falsehoods
Felix Kwakye Ofosu strongly rejected the Minority’s claims, asserting that the aircraft in question had legitimate reasons for their presence in Ghana.
“The facts as they exist vary completely from the claims that he made. He was only seeking to peddle falsehood in a bid to undermine the confidence that the people of Ghana have in this government,” he lamented.
He explained that the first aircraft, an Antonov cargo plane, arrived at KIA on March 12, 2025, for a technical stop, and all documentation was in order.
“The plane had secured a landing permit with number GAF/TM/AO/25/7863 and was loaded with oil drill equipment and lubricant oil destined for the European Union market,” he stated.
He further clarified that the aircraft had developed an engine blade fault and an oil leak, necessitating urgent repairs.
Regarding the second aircraft, he said, “The second aircraft, a Hawker 800 XP operated by AirMed International, landed in Ghana on March 20, 2025, for a technical stop.”
“The plane was cleared to land with clearance number GAF/TWX/R/25/2604/FAA/0297/25 and had developed a tire burst and difficulty with its landing gear, requiring servicing.”
Despite these explanations, the Minority remains unconvinced and insists that the government is avoiding accountability.
Minority Questions Government’s Transparency
In response, Rev. Fordjour accused the government of deliberately evading accountability and challenged Kwakye Ofosu’s claim that he had been invited by security agencies but failed to attend.
“Kwakye Ofosu lied when he claimed I’ve been invited by security agencies and failed to attend upon their invitation,” Fordjour stated.
“No security or intelligence agency has ever invited me to assist them with any information. I dare Kwakye Ofosu to produce a copy of such an invitation.”
John Fordjour also claimed that when he formally requested a Joint Security briefing to allow intelligence agencies to share updates on investigations, the NDC Parliamentary Caucus and the government blocked the initiative.
“What are they hiding?” he questioned.
The Unresolved Issues: Gold, Cash, and Cocaine
Beyond the controversy over the flights, Rev. Fordjour highlighted additional concerns regarding unaddressed criminal cases.
“The government has since failed to provide responses to the status of the 12 containers filled with gold and currencies confiscated by National Security on February 9,” he asserted.
He also pointed out the administration’s silence on two high-profile cocaine busts worth a combined $500 million.
“The government has also failed to provide responses on the status of investigations made into the high-profile cocaine busts totaling some $500 million ($350 million and $150 million),” he noted.
John Fordjour further criticized the explanations given for the aircraft landings, suggesting that they lacked credibility.
“Whereas Kwakye Ofosu confirmed my claims of the entry and departure of the two suspicious flights as true, the reasons provided by Kwakye Ofosu in respect of their purpose of entry are incoherent, questionable, and cannot be taken seriously,” he remarked.
Calls for Full Disclosure Intensify
With pressure mounting, the Minority Caucus insists that the government must come clean on these issues.
“Our country cannot be allowed to be suddenly turned into a hub for cocaine and money laundering. They must come again,” John Fordjour emphasized.
However, as public scrutiny intensifies, many Ghanaians are waiting for the government’s response.
By Daniel Bampoe
