President John Dramani Mahama has swiftly addressed allegations surrounding two aircraft that purportedly landed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in March and departed for Gran Canaria, Spain on March 25.
In response, he has ensured that security agencies will conduct an investigation to determine the truth behind these claims. The flights, involving a private jet and an air ambulance, are suspected of potential involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
Acknowledging the allegations made during a press conference by Member of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, President Mahama stated, “My attention has been drawn to allegations concerning two suspicious flights arriving at Kotoka International Airport suspected to be linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.”
The initial claim was brought forward by the Minority in Parliament, spearheaded by Assin South Member of Parliament Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee. Fordjour alleged that one of the aircraft, Air MED flight K823 AM, arrived in the country on March 20 and remained for five days without any apparent record of transporting a patient.
An “air MED flight,” commonly known as a medevac flight or air ambulance, is a specialized air service that transports critically ill or life-threatening patients to medical facilities.
Subsequently, the private jet Antonov 12B landed on March 12 and departed on the same day as the first flight on March 25. These events have raised suspicions among the public regarding the contents and activities related to these flights.
Expressing interest in the minority’s claims, the president, through his social media platforms, indicated that he is taking the allegations seriously. He has instructed security agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the National Intelligence Bureau, to launch a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
The President specified that the National Security Coordinator has been ordered to collaborate with the parliamentarian to provide all relevant information to uncover the truth and hold accountable anyone involved.
In a post dated Tuesday, April 1, he emphasized, “Government treats all allegations seriously, and to ensure a rigorous and transparent investigation, I have directed all pertinent investigative bodies to immediately collaborate with the honorable member of parliament to provide necessary information for investigation and to take appropriate actions to uncover any drug-related activities.”
He further emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward utilizing Ghana as a conduit or destination for drugs or drug trafficking, referencing a recent significant drug seizure by the National Intelligence Bureau valued at $350 million.