Gov’t accuses Ntim Fordjour of peddling falsehood over ‘suspicious aircraft’ claims

The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has sharply criticised the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, accusing him of spreading falsehoods about an alleged “suspicious aircraft” that landed at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport.

Mr Ofosu’s comments follow the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to direct national security agencies to probe Fordjour’s claims that two aircraft—AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B—had entered the country carrying cocaine and large sums of U.S. currency.

Speaking on Thursday, April 3, Mr Ofosu alleged that Rev Fordjour had backtracked on his earlier allegations when invited to assist with investigations, now claiming that the statements were not his personal opinions but those of the committee he represented.

“I can report to you that because he knew he was peddling total falsehoods and lies, he now claims after being invited to assist with investigations that he was speaking on behalf of the committee that he was part of, and that the views he expressed were not his personal views,” Mr Ofosu said.

He added, “So, because of that he says he is unable to cooperate with the security agencies.”

According to Mr Ofosu, the claims made by Rev Fordjour were not supported by facts and were only intended to damage the credibility of the current administration.

“I say that he was peddling falsehood because the facts as they exist vary completely from the claims that he made. When he made that claim, he was only seeking to peddle falsehood in a bid to undermine the confidence that the people of Ghana have in this government,” he asserted.

In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) page on April 3, the government spokesperson reiterated that there was no basis for the allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering through the airport.

It would be recalled that at a press conference on April 1, Rev Fordjour raised serious concerns about the nature of cargo reportedly carried by the two aircraft in question. He questioned the legitimacy of their landing at KIA and demanded an urgent public briefing.

“There is no record of a medical referral, nor was any patient accompanied on board the flight. Instead, we are reliably informed that the air ambulance, which is specifically designed to transport patients, carried suspicious cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash in various U.S. denominations,” the Assin South MP stated.

He further alleged a rise in illicit activities under the current administration, saying: “The sudden increase in drug trafficking and money laundering incidents after the NPP government handed over power to the NDC is alarming. National security must uphold transparency to assure citizens of the safety and security of our airspace.”

Meanwhile, President Mahama has instructed that the matter be investigated thoroughly, but the government maintains that the allegations are politically motivated and lack merit.

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