Aircraft with drugs : Government must allow the investigative bodies to work – Ex-Deputy Defence Minister

The government must allow the investigative bodies charged by the president to look into the alleged aircraft with drugs, to do their work effectively, Former Deputy Minister of Defence  Kofi Amankwa-Manu has said.

To him, the circumstances that surround the suspicious aircraft allegedly containing cocaine substances which landed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) should warrant a thorough investigation as demanded by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour.

He says he finds it a bit unfair the insults and verbal attacks on Ren Ntim Fprdjous because he is doing his work as a member of parliament by asking questions that demand answers.

The current Member of the Defence and Interior Committee in Parliament, “I find it a bit unfair to hear people attack the personality of Ntim Fordjour, an allegation has been made that borders on national security and the institutions clothed with the authority have been called to investigate the matter and let Ghanaians know exactly what is happening.  Is that a crime?

“Rev Ntim Fordjour is saying that Aircraft was an air ambulance, we were expecting to see patients in there.

“The aircraft landed on 20th of March and left 25 of March. What is even funny around the whole incident is that we are told and it is common knowledge on social media, that the day the aircraft left the tarmac at KIA, there was a total blackout. That does not call for questions? We are asking questions, we have the right as members of the  Defence and Interior Committee to ask government questions, that is exactly what we are doing. Government must allow the institutions to work, this does not call for attacks on the person of Rev Ntim Fordjour, we are asking questions and we want answers,” he told journalists in Kumasi on Monday, April 6.

President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Police CID, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the National Security Coordinator to immediately launch investigations into allegations of two suspicious flights arriving at the Kotoka International Airport suspected to be involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

This was after the Minority Caucus raised concerns over the rising threats of piracy, drug trafficking, and money laundering in Ghana under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking at a press briefing, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, highlighted the urgent need to preserve Ghana’s reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa.

Rev. Fordjour stated, “Ghana in the past eight years, had been ranked favourably by notable global organisations as the second most peaceful country in Africa in respect of crime rate and globally, ahead of Australia and Canada.

Read Also: $88.6 billion lost annually in Africa in illicit financial flows – African Union

“It is therefore imperative that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana continues to be safe and not degenerate into a safe haven for pirates, drug trafficking and money laundering.”

In a Facebook post, President John Mahama said “My attention has been drawn to allegations made at a press conference by an honourable member of parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, regarding two suspicious flights arriving at the Kotoka International Airport suspected to be involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

“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.”

He added “We will maintain zero tolerance for using Ghana as a transit or final destination for drugs or drug trafficking. The NIB made a high-profile bust of drugs last week, with a street value of $350 million.”

 

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