…Gov’t denies allegations; AirMed breaks silence on flight movement

The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, has taken the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, 38, to task, over his claims that, “suspicious aircraft” carrying drugs and money landed and took off from Kotoka International Airport.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, publicly criticised his fellow MP, describing the claims he made at a press briefing on April 1 – “April Fools’ Day” – as false.

Mr Ofosu, stated this in an explanation posted on his X page yesterday, April 3, 2025, emphasising that after President John Mahama’s directive for the security agencies to engage Rev. Fordjour for more information, the latter had altered his assertion.

“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. So, because of that, he says he is unable to cooperate with the security agencies,” the President’s spokesperson said.

Interestingly, Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, has since accused National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Police CID, and the Narcotics Control Commission of evading his invitation to provide updates on investigations into specific security matters he raised.

He suspects that, the security agencies, have something to hide.

However, AirMed International, an air ambulance and medical transport company at the centre of allegations made by the Assin South MP, has clarified that its stop at Kotoka Airport, was due to maintenance issues, refuting any links to drug trafficking.

According to reports on GHOne TV, the global medical company, made multiple fuel stops, including one at Kotoka Airport, where it encountered maintenance issues.

Mr Ofosu, contended that Rev. Fordjour’s claims were solely aimed at portraying the government in a negative light.

“I say that he was peddling falsehoods 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 falsehoods in a bid to undermine the confidence that the people of Ghana have in this government,” he added.

Speaking at a press briefing, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, highlighted the urgent need to preserve Ghana’s reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa.

He demanded a public briefing on the cargo carried by two aircraft—AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B—suspected to have transported cocaine and cash into the country.

The Assin South MP said, “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 US denominations.”

The NPP legislator stressed that ,“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.”

However, in a post made on his X page yesterday, April 3, 2025, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour stated, “They have demonstrated clearly that they have something to hide. After I demanded a joint briefing of National Security, NIB, Police CID, and the Narcotics Control Commission, they have evaded the meeting and are avoiding a meeting to provide updates on investigations into the specific security matters raised.”

“I shall, therefore, explore every parliamentary tool at my disposal in the exercise of oversight, until we have answers to the following high-profile matters of urgent public interest:

1.     The status of gold and cash seized by National Security on 9 February.

2.     The content of cargo transported by the suspicious flights, i.e. AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B in March.

3.     The status of high-profile cocaine busts worth $350 million and $120 million, respectively, in March.

Ghana, cannot be allowed to be turned into a hub for drug trafficking and money laundering.”

Ntim Fordjour, had formally requested a security briefing from key national security agencies regarding high-profile criminal investigations.

In a letter dated April 2, 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior, Fordjour, called for representatives from National Security, the Police CID, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to appear before the committee on  April 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

According to the letter, the meeting’s purpose is to allow the security agencies to provide updates on major investigations into criminal activities of national concern.

Among the cases expected to be discussed are:

Gold and Currency Smuggling: National Security conducted an operation in Sapielman on 9 February 2025, which uncovered twelve 20-foot containers reportedly packed with gold bars and foreign currencies.

Massive Cocaine Busts: The seizure of two shipments of cocaine, valued at $350 million and $120 million, respectively, took place in March 2025.

Two flights—AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B—arrived from Gran Canaria at Kotoka International Airport on 12 March and 20 March 2025. The flights reportedly departed back to Gran Canaria on 25 March, and the cargo they transported to and from Ghana is uncertain.

It was also reported that a second aircraft carrying replacement parts, supplies, and technicians was dispatched and later arrived at KIA.

“Upon landing in Ghana, the aircraft experienced maintenance issues, and a second aircraft was dispatched with replacement parts, supplies, and technicians.

“AirMed International aircraft N823AM made multiple stops for fuel, including a stop at Kotoka International Airport,” GHOne TV reported in a series of posts on 3 April 2025.

AirMed expressed confidence that their flights did not engage in any illegal activities, as speculated.

The company further stated that it has documentation and flight details to support its claims, emphasising its certainty in being vindicated.

“We are confident that flight documentation and details will demonstrate that the AirMed aircraft was not engaged in any illegal activities,” GHOne TV quoted the company as saying.

The controversy surrounding AirMed flights began when Assin South MP Ntim Fordjour raised concerns over two suspicious flights: AirMed Flight N823AM and the Cavok Air private jet Antonov An-12B, both of which landed in Ghana in March.

According to the Minority caucus, the two flights, suspected of carrying cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash, landed in Ghana between 20 March and 25 March 2025.

Addressing a press conference on April 1, 2025, Rev. Fordjour, stated that the Minority caucus, had intercepted intelligence, indicating that an air ambulance had landed in Ghana without any patients being referred.