Provide details on suspicious foreign aircraft - NPP to govt

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to provide a detailed update on the presence of two foreign aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) last month.

“We expect a detailed, professional response from the government, led by the appropriate security agencies, regarding the mission and cargo on board the two aircraft,” a statement signed and issued by the NPP Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, said.

The two aircraft in question are AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air private jet, Antonov An-12B, which landed on the tarmac of KIA last month, from Gran Canaria; an island of Spain, and departed to the same Gran Canaria days after their arrival.

The party condemned what they termed the government's intimidation of the minority, who had expressed valid concerns regarding the unexplained presence of specific foreign aircraft in Ghana: AirMed flight N823AM and the Cavok Air Antonov An-12B.

“Considering their origin, a satisfactory explanation of these aircraft's mission in our country is required,” the statement said.

“The government must explain the purpose of the aircraft and the nature of their cargo. Ghanaians deserve to know whether these planes were involved in any illegal activity,” the statement said.

It said the explanation provided by the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, was “scanty and primarily defensive,” which has only increased public suspicion.

The NPP also cited a call by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which has reportedly urged the government to investigate the purpose of the flights.

Narcotics

In addition, the NPP also demanded updates on two separate cocaine seizures. One involved a $350 million cocaine bust in Cape Coast, and the other a $150 million seizure in Sekondi.

“The political explanation Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu offered failed to address the request for an update on these drug arrests. The silence on these high-profile arrests undermines public trust, particularly given the alleged involvement of a senior member of the NDC,” the statement said.

“We wish to caution the government that it should not trivialise issues concerning drug trafficking and money laundering, as we have witnessed thus far. These are matters of international interest, and Ghana's credibility and compliance with international obligations are at stake.”

“The international community is observing closely, and Ghana cannot afford the perception of complicity or institutional failure in confronting transnational crime,” the statement added.

The NPP, in the statement, said it would continue to demand accountability from the government, stressing that the public has a right to clear and honest information.

Recall

In a series of Facebook posts on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Mr Kwakye Ofosu dismissed fresh allegations of drug trafficking linked to the recent aircraft landings at the KIA, insisting that the incidents were technical and logistical in nature.

He urged the public to disregard what he described as deliberate misinformation and stressed the government’s commitment to transparency in matters involving national security and airport operations.

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has maintained that the aircraft in question were involved in transporting narcotics and cash.