Ntim Fordjour, Mahama Government Clash Over Suspicious Aircraft And Drug Smuggling Claims
- Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu and Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour have clashed over drug smuggling claims
- Ofosu accused Fordjour of lying about an aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport
- The MP had claimed that two flights suspected of being involved in illicit activities had landed at the Kotoka International Airport in March
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The government and Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour are butting heads over recent drug smuggling claims.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, accused Fordjour of spreading lies about a purported suspicious aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport.
Source: Twitter
The MP, in turn, accused Ofosu of lying about his cooperation with the government.
After Fordjour's initial claims, Ofosu on April 3 said the MP had backtracked on his earlier allegations when invited to assist with investigations.
The minister said Fordjour was 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.”
Fordjour however disputed these claims and said he had not met with any security agency.
In a statement, he called Ofosu a liar and challenged the government to back its claims with evidence.
"No security or intelligence agency has ever invited me to assist them with any information. I dare Kwakye Ofosu to produce a copy of such invitation. I’m still waiting on them to collaborate with me in Parliament to undertake President Mahama’s directive, if the directive was not mere rhetorics."
When did Fordjour make drug smuggling allegations?
On April 1, the Minority in Parliament called for updates regarding recent gold and cash seizures made by National Security.
Fordjour addressed the press conference in question and also claimed two flights suspected of being involved in illicit activities had landed at the Kotoka International Airport in March.
The flights, an air ambulance and a private jet, allegedly remained in the country for several days before their departure, raising concerns over their purpose and cargo.
Source: Getty Images
President John Mahama subsequently directed a probe into the claims from Assin South MP.
Mahama assured that his government is committed to urgently addressing the claims.
"Government takes all allegations seriously, and to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, I have directed all relevant investigative agencies – including the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Police CID, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the National Security Coordinator – to immediately and fully collaborate with the honourable member of parliament so he provides all necessary information to investigate the allegations and take all action necessary to expose any drug dealing."
Police seize gold bars at airport
YEN.com.gh reported that a Precious Minerals Marketing Company van allegedly smuggling gold was intercepted at Kotoka International Airport in December 2024.
The van was found to contain 17 boxes of gold bars allegedly part of the government’s Gold-for-Oil initiative.
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company claimed the National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress led the seizure of the gold.
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Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Samuel Gitonga (Copy editor) Samuel Gitonga is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. He holds a Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism Degree from the Multimedia University of Kenya. He has over 7 years’ experience in the digital journalism industry. He started out his career at the Kenya News Agency and proceeded to work for several reputable media outlets in Nairobi.
