President’s directive to investigate alleged KIA drug trafficking timely - Security analyst asserts

A Security analyst, Dr Festus Kofi Aubyn, has welcomed the President's directive to investigate allegations of possible drug transit through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

"The implications of this alleged drug transit are far-reaching, highlighting vulnerabilities in airport security protocols and the need for robust measures to prevent exploitation by criminal networks," Dr Aubyn said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

He emphasised that the President's call for a thorough investigation is crucial in safeguarding national security and restoring public confidence in the nation's security apparatus.

Dr Aubyn, who is also the Regional Coordinator, Research and Capacity Building at the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, stressed that a transparent investigation was essential to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the country's security systems.

This, he said, was vital for preserving the country’s international reputation.

Government response

Meanwhile, 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 the KIA.

Mr Ofosu’s comments follow the decision by President John Mahama to direct national security agencies to probe Rev. 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 US 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.

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.