The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is calling for a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into the alleged entry and departure of two foreign aircraft suspected of transporting illicit drugs and cash through Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The civil society group raised alarm over the movements of AirMed flight N823AM, an air ambulance, and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B, both of which flew in from Gran Canaria, Spain, and remained unusually long in Ghana.

The air ambulance reportedly landed on March 20, 2025, and stayed for five days without any medical evacuation activity, while the Antonov cargo plane arrived on March 12 and remained for thirteen days. Both flights departed on March 25, allegedly to the same destination.

AFAG’s call follows growing concerns raised by Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, who suspects the flights were used to smuggle cocaine and U.S. dollars.

Despite a dismissal of the claims by Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who cited customs and mechanical delays, AFAG insists the matter goes beyond partisan bickering. According to the group, Ghanaians demand truth and transparency — not denials and political spin.

AFAG stated that the silence from key institutions like the Ghana Airport Company, Civil Aviation Authority, and national security agencies is deeply disturbing, and the public deserves transparency.

The group stressed that allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, if true, threaten the national security and international standing of Ghana. They also pointed out the lack of public record of cargo manifests, clearance documentation, or official explanations for the planes’ extended stays.

Citing Ghana’s history of aviation-linked drug scandals, including the Nayele Ametefeh case and the 2023 Brussels bust, AFAG believes Parliament must fulfill its oversight role and investigate any possible complicity or negligence by public officials.

They also emphasized that Ghana, as a signatory to key anti-drug treaties, must demonstrate a commitment to justice in order to maintain international credibility and donor confidence.

In light of the seriousness of the allegations, AFAG called on President John Mahama to confer with the Speaker of Parliament to reconvene Parliament immediately and address the matter decisively. The group believes the gravity of these accusations demands swift legislative oversight and action.

AFAG urged Parliament to rise above partisan interests and restore public trust through a credible and transparent investigation.

Full statement below:

AIRMED COCAINE SCANDAL; BIPARTISAN PARLIAMENTARY PROBE NEEDED - AFAG

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is calling for an independent, bipartisan parliamentary investigation into troubling allegations involving two foreign aircraft suspected of transporting illicit drugs and cash into Ghana.

The aircraft in question are AirMed flight N823AM, an air ambulance, and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B cargo plane. Both planes arrived from Gran Canaria, Spain, and remained at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for extended periods under suspicious circumstances.

AirMed’s aircraft reportedly landed on March 20, 2025, and stayed for five days without transporting any patients. Meanwhile, Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B arrived earlier on March 12 and remained in Ghana for thirteen days, with both planes allegedly departing on the same day, March 25, 2025, to the same destination. These coincidences, paired with claims of cocaine and cash smuggling, have raised serious concerns by Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament.

While government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has dismissed the allegations, citing mechanical issues and customs delays, AFAG believes this back-and-forth between the ruling NDC and opposition NPP is failing to address the core issue: the truth.

Ghanaians are demanding answers, not political debates. The silence from key institutions like the Ghana Airport Company, Civil Aviation Authority, and national security agencies is deeply disturbing. The public deserves transparency.

AFAG has outlined five compelling reasons why Parliament must initiate a bipartisan investigation:

National Security Risk – Allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, if true, threaten the security and international standing of Ghana.

Lack of Transparency – There is no public record of cargo manifests, clearance documentation, or official explanations for the planes’ extended stays.

Repetitive Patterns – Ghana has a history of drug-related aviation scandals, including the Nayele Ametefeh case and the 2023 Brussels bust.

Rule of Law & Accountability – Parliament must fulfill its oversight role. Any complicity or negligence by officials must be uncovered and addressed.

International Reputation – As a signatory to key anti-drug treaties, Ghana must show commitment to justice to preserve global partnerships and donor confidence.

RESOLUTION

In light of the seriousness of the allegations, AFAG calls on President John Mahama to, as a matter of urgency, confer with the Speaker of Parliament to reconvene Parliament immediately to address the matter decisively. The gravity of these accusations demands swift legislative oversight and action.

AFAG is urging Parliament to act swiftly, rise above partisan interests, and restore public trust through a credible and transparent probe.

God bless our homeland, Ghana!