The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has issued a strong warning against individuals and entities spreading false information about its operations. This follows allegations made by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, regarding suspicious flights at Kotoka International Airport.
In a statement dated April 8, 2025, GACL categorically denied claims that two aircraft, Air Med Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov 12B, transported illegal substances or large sums of money. The company described the allegations as baseless and malicious, urging the public to disregard them.
“All security checks were conducted by Aviation Security and National Security, while ground handling services were carried out by Swissport. There was no evidence of any illegal substances on board either aircraft,” the statement clarified.
GACL further emphasized that its Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, has no connection with Rev. Ntim Fordjour and has never met or spoken to him. The company also refuted claims that it provided any information to the lawmaker.
In response to the ongoing allegations, GACL stated, “The company will not hesitate to seek legal redress against any media house, individual, or entity for any intentional or mischievous publication that seeks to tarnish the reputation of the company, its leadership, or the government.”
The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and professionalism in Ghana’s aviation sector and called on the public to treat the allegations with the contempt they deserve. As tensions rise, GACL’s firm stance
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has strongly refuted allegations made by Assin South MP, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, regarding suspected drug trafficking and money laundering involving two aircraft that reportedly passed through Ghana in March.
In a detailed post on social media, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed the claims as “wild” and “baseless,” accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker of engaging in deliberate disinformation to discredit the current administration.
“In the last few days, the disinformation machine of the New Patriotic Party has been ramped up, and they’ve taken it a notch higher. Reverend Ntim Fordjour has made wild claims that two aircraft that passed through Ghana were carrying drugs and were involved in money laundering. He even called for investigations,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
The minister explained that President John Mahama had welcomed the call for transparency and encouraged the MP to present any available evidence to the appropriate security agencies for investigation. However, Kwakye Ofosu noted that the MP later retracted his claims under scrutiny.
“Because he knew he was peddling total falsehoods and lies, he now says he was speaking on behalf of a committee and that the views were not his personal opinions. So now he refuses to cooperate with security agencies,” he added.
He maintained that the facts completely contradicted the narrative being pushed by the Assin South legislator and questioned his motives. “I say that he was peddling falsehood 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 falsehood in a bid to undermine the confidence that the people of Ghana have in this government.”
The controversy erupted after the Minority in Parliament called on the National Security to disclose details about two aircraft—an air ambulance and a private jet—that landed in Ghana in early March and departed for Gran Canaria, Spain, on March 25. According to the Minority, the planes remained on the ground in Ghana for days, prompting suspicion about their activities and contents.
In response, President Mahama has directed the National Security and other relevant institutions to carry out a full-scale probe into the matter to establish the facts and ensure transparency.
A 32-year-old Nigerian national, Pascal Okafor Ezugwu, has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term by the High Court for attempting to smuggle 90 thumb-sized cocaine pellets weighing 1.54 kg.
Mr. Okafor Ezugwu was sentenced on Friday, May 3, 2024, to a minimum of 10 years in hard labor and fined ten thousand penalty units. In the event of default, he will serve an additional three years in prison.
The court also ordered the destruction of the exhibit, to be supervised by all interested stakeholders in the presence of the court registrar, state prosecutors, and the defense counsel.
Mr. Okafor Ezugwu was arrested on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, by officers of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at the Kotoka International Airport. He was going through pre-boarding formalities at the departure hall to board a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.
A urine test conducted on him revealed traces of narcotic substances. He later expelled a total of 90 thumb-sized pellets during observation by officers, and a field test of the pellets proved positive for cocaine.
He was subsequently detained and later charged with three counts of narcotic offenses relating to unlawful possession, attempted exportation of narcotic drugs, and money laundering.
Mr. Ezugwu was arraigned before the Criminal Court Division of the Accra High Court, where he pleaded guilty to all three counts and was consequently convicted on his own plea.
In a meeting, NACOC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from the trafficking and use of illicit drugs, ensuring public safety.
The Commission emphasized that the possession, usage, and transportation of illegal drugs without lawful authorization remain prohibited under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of Act 1019 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020. It urges the general public to be aware of the consequences and risks associated with such activities.
Ghanaian socialite Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa popularly known as Afia Schwarzenegger has exposed an escalating trend of drug lords operating with heightened sophistication in the country, particularly involving female socialites.
These dealers, as per her claims, have adapted new strategies, operating under pharmaceutical licences to conceal their illicit activities.
Afia Schwarzenegger highlighted a departure from conventional drug trafficking methods, emphasizing the involvement of women without direct contact with the substances until they reach their final destination.
Her revelations came in response to recent legal issues faced by fellow socialite Hajia4Reall, where she expressed concerns about the questionable behaviours of prominent female celebrities.
During a TikTok live session, Afia Schwarzenegger described the modus operandi, asserting, “Money laundering is nothing compared to what people in this country do now. People have taken pharmaceutical licences and are hiding under the guise of trading in drugs. They have recruited these Ghanaian socialites to also participate in that job.”
Afia Schwarzenegger, referring to Hajia4Reall as a case study, condemned such activities as vanity.
She pointed out the consequences that individuals engaged in such actions would soon face.
Regarding Hajia4Reall, Afia questioned the socialite’s flamboyant displays on social media, asserting that her ill-gotten wealth and pursuit of social media relevance have now come to nothing.
“All the things she has been flaunting on social media, where are they now? At one point, I didn’t know who was even advising her to be doing these things. The designers, the cars, houses, where are they now? Even when she was under investigation, she was still very much active on social media. It looked like she wanted to prove something to people. What are you proving? If you are not guilty, you won’t be extradited from London to the US,”Afia Schwarzenegger stated.
She criticized the extravagant lifestyle and speculated about the fate of Hajia’s assets amidst her legal troubles.
The news concluded with the report that Hajia4Reall had reportedly pleaded guilty in the U.S.
Magistrate court regarding her involvement in a $2 million romance scam, marking a significant legal setback for the 30-year-old musician and businesswoman.
Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NaCoC), has called for a unified and collaborative approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.
He emphasized that such an approach would not only improve public health but also disrupt criminal networks and significantly reduce the supply of illicit drugs.
Adu-Amanfoh made this appeal during the opening session of a workshop organized for Judges and Magistrates in Sunyani, Bono region.
The workshop, themed “The Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019): Effective Implementation of the Act and the Role of Judges and Magistrates in Handling People Who Use Drugs,” was jointly organized by the Judicial Training Institute, the POS Foundation, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), a non-governmental organization.
The workshop aimed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge about the changes introduced by Act 1019 and the jurisdiction granted to trial courts under the Act.
Adu-Amanfoh emphasized that combating drug trafficking requires the collective effort of various stakeholders, including security services, the judiciary, and the public. He stressed that the responsibility cannot be borne by the Commission alone and appealed for widespread public support.
Superintendent Stephen Nti, in charge of Records, expressed regret over the overcrowding situation at the Sunyani Central Prisons, which currently houses 915 inmates despite its initial capacity of 450.
He highlighted that 31 inmates had been convicted of narcotics offenses, serving sentences ranging from 15 years and below, primarily for drug possession cases. Additionally, six other inmates were awaiting sentencing for various narcotics offenses while in remand.
By addressing drug trafficking and abuse through collaborative efforts and effective implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, the aim is to mitigate the impact of drugs on society and promote a safer environment.
Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NaCoC), has called for a unified and collaborative approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana. He emphasized that such an approach would not only improve public health but also disrupt criminal networks and significantly reduce the supply of illicit drugs.
Adu-Amanfoh made this appeal during the opening session of a workshop organized for Judges and Magistrates in Sunyani, Bono region. The workshop, themed “The Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019): Effective Implementation of the Act and the Role of Judges and Magistrates in Handling People Who Use Drugs,” was jointly organized by the Judicial Training Institute, the POS Foundation, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), a non-governmental organization.
The workshop aimed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge about the changes introduced by Act 1019 and the jurisdiction granted to trial courts under the Act.
Adu-Amanfoh emphasized that combating drug trafficking requires the collective effort of various stakeholders, including security services, the judiciary, and the public. He stressed that the responsibility cannot be borne by the Commission alone and appealed for widespread public support.
Superintendent Stephen Nti, in charge of Records, expressed regret over the overcrowding situation at the Sunyani Central Prisons, which currently houses 915 inmates despite its initial capacity of 450. He highlighted that 31 inmates had been convicted of narcotics offenses, serving sentences ranging from 15 years and below, primarily for drug possession cases. Additionally, six other inmates were awaiting sentencing for various narcotics offenses while in remand.
By addressing drug trafficking and abuse through collaborative efforts and effective implementation of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, the aim is to mitigate the impact of drugs on society and promote a safer environment.
After pleading guilty to importing and trafficking Class A drugs out of his apartment, Alexander Greening, 22, was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
In the charming Worcestershire village of Martley, he conducted the operation from above a store.
Once Border Force agents seized one of Greening’s packages from abroad, Greening was arrested.
When police raided his flat, they found drugs scattered across a chopping board emblazoned with the phrase ‘Ketflix & Pills’, a play on the euphemistic phrase ‘Netflix and Chill.’
Greening’s one-man criminal empire was busted when officials intercepted one of his packages
Officers also retrieved a number of controlled substances held inside grip sealed bags, including pills embossed with a rendering of the superhero Batman and others stamped with the figure of a naked woman.
Following his arrest, Greening admitted to 10 drug offences, including the import, possession and supply of Class A substances.
He received his 32 month sentence at Worcester Crown Court on February 7.
Alexander Greening imported drugs from his flat in the picturesque Worcestershire village of Martley
The court heard that his operation had involved a supply of eight different drugs imported and sold between April and August of last year.
Detective Inspector Dave Knight, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘This was an investigation by South Worcestershire patrol officers who undertook a detailed investigation which culminated in a decent result in court.
‘It doesn’t matter where you get the drugs from.
‘It doesn’t matter where you are with the drugs – you have got to be lucky every time. We have to be lucky once.
‘We work with other police forces and with Border Force, to stem the flow of drugs into Britain and across county lines.
‘Peddling drugs is inherently risky as is using drugs that have not been tested.
‘In South Worcestershire we have a solid support network in place for drug users and we can signpost as and when required.
‘Drugs dealers will be signposted to the prison service.’
