Minority petitions Lebanon Ambassador to probe drug trafficking claim involving flights from Gran Canaria

The Minority in Parliament has called on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Maher Kheir, to assist in addressing ongoing concerns about suspected unauthorized flights that landed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

A statement released on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, and signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee indicates that the caucus has requested the support of the diplomatic community in facilitating a thorough investigation into the arrival of two AirMed planes and a Cavok Air cargo aircraft.

These flights are suspected to have transported illegal drugs and undeclared funds into the country.

This appeal follows an earlier media briefing on April 1, where the Minority flagged what they described as major national security issues surrounding the flights. President John Dramani Mahama has since instructed relevant national agencies to launch a full-scale inquiry into the matter.

Despite this directive, the Minister of State responsible for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed the allegations, branding the investigation as needless.

Rejecting the Minister’s assertion that the AirMed flights originated from Luanda, the Minority insists that its own findings trace the flights directly to Gran Canaria.

They also cast doubt on the reported arrival of the Cavok aircraft, indicating that flight records do not support claims of its entry into Ghana on the said dates.

“The details surrounding these aircraft require a thorough and trustworthy investigation,” the statement noted, highlighting Ghana’s commitment to tackling international crime through agreements like the UN Conventions on drug trafficking and organized crime.

The Minority further emphasized the importance of upholding local laws, referencing the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), and stressed that Ghana must not waver in enforcing measures to combat drug trafficking and financial crimes.

They have urged greater global cooperation to ensure that the country remains firm in its fight against cross-border criminal activities.