There is a need for concerted efforts among all Members of Parliament to exercise caution in their public statements. This is essential for maintaining their image, credibility, and avoiding the spread of unfounded falsehoods.
The Deputy Minister of Interior, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlarbi, expressed this sentiment during an appearance on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
Hon. Larbi believes that the statement made by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour was a deliberate attempt to undermine the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) effective governance practices. These efforts, he argued, were designed to reset the country, which, in his view, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has destabilised over the past eight years.
Hon. Larbi further stated that he was willing to make himself available to provide evidence and assist with the government’s investigation into the allegations raised by Rev. Fordjour.
Meanwhile, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, addressed journalists, calling on the government to be transparent in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and money laundering. The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over the rising cases of these illegal activities in the country, especially following the handover of power from the NPP to the NDC.
The Minority has pointed out that, nearly two months after a raid on 12 containers containing gold and cash in Sapeiman, Accra, the National Security apparatus has yet to brief the public on the status of investigations. They are calling for clarity on the quantity of gold and the exact amount of money that was recovered during the operation.
In addition, the Minority is demanding accountability regarding the cargo suspected to contain cocaine and cash, which was transported into the country via two suspicious flights that landed at Kotoka International Airport in March 2025.
In response to the Minority’s concerns, the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga, addressed the lack of updates on the Sapeiman raid. Agalga, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, noted that the committee had previously invited the Ministers for Defence and Interior to brief Parliament on similar security-related issues. However, he pointed out that the Minority did not use that opportunity to formally request an update on the Sapeiman case.
Agalga emphasized that while calls for transparency are valid, certain details of ongoing investigations must remain confidential to avoid jeopardizing the work of security agencies. He further explained that National Security was still pursuing suspects, and those already in custody were providing useful leads.
“The last time the committee invited the Ministers for Defence and Interior, they appeared and briefed us on several matters. The Minority could have used that opportunity to ask for an update on the Sapeiman case,” Agalga said. “However, they did not, because they understood the importance of allowing National Security to continue their work. They are still tracking other individuals who are on the run, and those in custody are cooperating.”
Agalga concluded by stating, “We cannot disclose the details of ongoing investigations at this time, as it could allow criminals to evade capture. At the appropriate time, the ministers will provide a detailed account of the progress made.”
