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Introduction
On April 1, 2024, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, made startling claims during a press engagement and subsequent media appearances. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour alleged a suspicious aircraft landing in Ghana. According to his statements, an AirMed flight N823AM, explicitly designed as an air ambulance for transporting patients, landed at Kotoka International Airport on March 20, 2025, and remained in Ghana for five days before departing at 1:00 AM on March 25, 2025, back to Gran Canaria.
In his press conference, Ntim Fordjour claimed that “reliable intelligence intercepted by the Minority Caucus” indicated that no patients were transported on this air ambulance either to or from Accra. Instead, he alleged that the aircraft carried “suspicious cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash in US dollars.”
Further allegations expanded to include a second aircraft—a Cavok Air private jet Antonov AN 12 B—which Rev. Fordjour claimed also landed in Ghana during the same period between March 20 and March 25, 2025, similarly carrying suspected cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash.
This explainer unpacks the timeline of events, responses from key political figures, and the current state of this unfolding situation based on verified information from multiple sources.
The Genesis: Allegations by Ntim Fordjour
Rev. Ntim Fordjour claimed that planes were landing in Ghana under suspicious circumstances involving illicit drugs and cash. Although he did not provide concrete evidence or name specific individuals, he implied the phenomenon was systemic and well-calculated. These remarks were interpreted as a serious indictment of the current administration.
“Airplanes are flying in cocaine and money into this country. People know, yet nothing is being done,” he reportedly said.
The statement went viral, with critics and supporters split over whether he was blowing the whistle on drug trafficking and state complicity or making unfounded accusations for political mileage.
Mahama’s Intervention
Moments later, President John Dramani Mahama issued a statement urging the claim to be fact-checked. While he did not directly address the allegations, Mahama called for investigations into any such claims but cautioned against politicising national security matters.
In a Facebook post, President Mahama said he has directed the investigative agencies to collaborate with the MP and get him to provide them with relevant information to investigate the allegations swiftly.
“Government takes all allegations seriously.” President Mahama noted, adding, “To ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, I have directed all relevant investigative agencies… 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.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s Rebuttal
Government spokesperson Felix Ofosu Kwakye, a prominent member of Mahama’s team, issued a rebuttal to Ntim Fordjour’s claims.
He dismissed the allegations as “reckless, baseless, and dangerous,” accusing the MP of attempting to smear the Mahama administration without evidence.
“These kinds of statements are how political violence and mistrust fester. He has no proof, and this is just propaganda,” Ofosu Kwakye said.
The public reaction to Rev. John Ntim Fordjour’s allegations
- Concerns over lack of evidence: Many have criticised Fordjour for making serious allegations without presenting concrete evidence. Critics argue that such claims should be backed by credible information to avoid damaging the country’s reputation and undermining trust in its institution. Media personalities like Kwesi Pratt Jr have highlighted inconsistencies in Fordjour’s statements, questioning whether he speaks for the Minority in Parliament or a parliamentary committee, adding to public scepticism about his claims.
- Political Polarisation: The issue has become highly politicised, with supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) generally backing Fordjour’s call for transparency and investigation, while those aligned with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
- Calls for Accountability: Some members have welcomed President Mahama’s directive for an investigation, seeing it as a positive step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Kwakye Ofosu returns with further details
The first aircraft, an Antonov 12 VK with registration number CVK 7037, arrived in Ghana on March 12, 2025, after securing a landing permit (GAF/TMAO/25/7863). The cargo plane from Rwanda and Angola carried oil-drilling equipment and lubricants destined for the European Union market.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the aircraft required a technical stop in Ghana for RA3 scanning and screening. Rwanda lacks this certification, which is necessary for entering the EU. The Swiss cargo facility at Kotoka International Airport is certified to perform this inspection.
DUBAWA’s check
When DUBAWA checked the flight activity history on CVK7037, we found no available data on the flight-tracking platform. The platform last tracked CVK7037 in December 2024, when it moved from Malaga, Spain, on December 18 to a location near Cairo, Egypt, on December 19.
The claims about AirMed N823AM’s arrival and departure times at Kotoka International Airport are consistent with open-source data from the flight’s activity history. However, no evidence supports Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s claim that AirMed N823AM went through Rwanda and Angola before coming to Ghana. Contrary to his claim that the Airmed N823AM passed through Rwanda and Angola to the Gran Canaria, the flight history presents different data. The flight details showed that the Airmed N823AM flew through Santa Maria in Portugal to the Gran Canaria in Spain on 19th March before coming to Ghana on 20th March.
The second aircraft, a Hawker 800XP with registration number N823AM, was operated by AirMed International, a U.S.-based air ambulance service. According to Ofosu Kwaye, the aircraft, handled in Ghana by Tropicana Airlines, arrived from Gran Canaria, Spain, after passing through Rwanda and Angola.
Its purpose for landing in Ghana on March 20, 2025, was a technical stop for refuelling and crew rest. However, upon landing, the aircraft suffered a tyre burst and additional issues with its landing gear, which required servicing before it could take off again, Mr Kwakye Ofosu indicated.
“On March 22, 2025, another aircraft (registration number N864) arrived with replacement tyres and flight engineers from Rwanda. The necessary repairs were made, and the aircraft departed Ghana on March 25, 2025.
“As with the first aircraft, the Hawker 800XP was subjected to security inspections by NACOC, National Security, Aviation Security, and the NIB, and no illegal substances were discovered.”
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Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s assurance of “facts”
In response to suggestions that his allegations were merely a publicity stunt, Rev. Fordjour clarified his position during an interview on Channel One Newsroom with Umaru Sanda Amadu on April 5, 2025. He emphasised that the Minority’s actions regarding the alleged drug trafficking were rooted in their constitutional mandate rather than a desire for attention.
“If I wanted to be popular, I would have released the biggest gospel hit, and then I would have had the biggest viewers,” Fordjour stated, rejecting characterisations of his allegations as attempts to gain popularity.
Rev. Fordjour reaffirmed his allegations, saying he would not be silenced. He expressed faith in God and confidence in his caucus’ support.
4. NPP Caucus Response
“The truth shall stand. I spoke the truth as I know it. I will not be intimidated by men with guns. My conscience is clear, and I remain committed to the fight for transparency and accountability,” he said.
National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) officials, on April 9, engaged in a standoff with Rev Ntim Fordjour in an attempt to effect his arrest at his home.
The move sparked political backlash, with dozens of NPP loyalists protesting at the MP’s house. Afenyo-Markin accused the government of weaponising state agencies against dissenters.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, condemned what he described as a politically motivated attempt by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to “intimidate and silence” Rev. Fordjour.
“We will not be intimidated. Rev. Fordjour does not walk alone. He speaks for the caucus,” Afenyo-Markin said in a press briefing at Ntim Fordjour’s residence [Watch from 40:30].
The security officers eventually left without incident, but the political temperature escalated.
Where Things Stand Now
- The NIB has not officially confirmed or denied its role in the attempted arrest of the MP.
- The government has not commented directly on the incident at Fordjour’s residence.
- The NPP parliamentary caucus demands a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into the drug allegations and the actions of the security agencies.
- Civil society organisations have renewed calls for transparency in Ghana’s national security operations and accountability for serious claims made by public officials.
Conclusion
Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s drug trafficking claims have thrown Ghana’s political and security institutions into the spotlight. While the veracity of his allegations remains unproven, the response by state agents and the resulting political standoff has reignited debates around free speech, state accountability, and democratic governance in Ghana. The controversy continues to develop, with both sides maintaining their positions. Ghanaians await further details as the authorised investigative bodies pursue the veracity of the allegations.
