In a decisive move to safeguard Ghana’s national security, President John Mahama has directed the National Security apparatus and other relevant authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation into two aircraft suspected of smuggling contraband—cocaine and large sums of cash—into the country.
The aircraft in question, identified as AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B, reportedly landed at Kotoka International Airport from Gran Canaria, Spain, before departing on March 25, 2025. Their brief and discreet presence in the country has sparked widespread concern, prompting urgent calls for an inquiry.
The directive comes in response to allegations raised by the Minority in Parliament, who fear the flights—an air ambulance and a private jet—may have been covertly involved in drug trafficking or money laundering operations. Their concerns were made public during a press conference on Tuesday, where Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour provided startling details of intelligence reports on the matter.
Rev. Fordjour, who also serves as the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee, revealed that the AirMed flight N823AM, purportedly an air ambulance, did not transport any medical patients. Instead, intelligence suggests that it carried suspicious cargo, believed to contain illicit drugs and substantial sums of US dollars.
Further raising suspicions, the Antonov An-12B private jet, which had landed on March 12, departed on the same day as the air ambulance, a pattern security analysts believe warrants closer scrutiny. The Minority insists that such movements fit the profile of international trafficking syndicates exploiting aviation routes for criminal enterprises.
President Mahama, recognizing the gravity of these allegations, issued an official statement emphasizing the need for swift and transparent action. He instructed security agencies to work closely with Rev. Fordjour and other concerned stakeholders to ascertain the true nature of the flights and their cargo.
“This matter requires urgent clarification. I have directed the appropriate agencies to investigate and provide a full report on these flights,” President Mahama stated in a tweet.
Underscoring his administration’s commitment to national security and the integrity of Ghana’s airspace, he further stressed: “We must not allow our country to be exploited for illicit activities. This investigation will ensure we uphold the highest standards of accountability and aviation security.”
The security agencies have been given a strict timeline to produce their findings, with the president warning that any attempts to cover up wrongdoing will not be tolerated. As the probe unfolds, the public eagerly awaits answers that could potentially unveil a high-level criminal network operating under the guise of legitimate aviation activities.
With tensions rising and speculation mounting, all eyes are now on Ghana’s security forces to deliver a thorough and credible investigation that will either confirm or dispel these alarming allegations.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
