The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has denied allegations that two aircraft which landed at the Kotoka International Airport in March were involved in drug trafficking activities.
In an official press statement issued on Monday, GACL clarified that extensive security checks conducted by Aviation Security and National Security operatives found no evidence of illegal substances aboard either of the planes.
The aircraft in question were identified as AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B cargo plane.
The statement was in direct response to accusations made by Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, who had suggested that the aircraft were used to smuggle cocaine and cash to Gran Canaria, Spain.
GACL emphasized that landing permits for all aircraft arriving in Ghana are not under the authority of the Airports Company, but are rather issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in conjunction with National Security. Additionally, Swissport was named as the company responsible for handling the ground operations for both flights.
Addressing another aspect of the controversy, GACL categorically denied any connection between its Managing Director, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, and Reverend Ntim Fordjour. According to the statement, the MD “does not know, has never met, or spoken to” the lawmaker.
The Airports Company also issued a stern warning, stating that it reserves the right to take legal action against any media outlet, individual, or group found to be spreading what it described as “intentional or mischievous publications” related to the matter.
GACL concluded the statement by urging the public to disregard the allegations, calling them baseless and deserving of “the contempt they merit.”
© WAVN
