Minority: Ghana must not become a safe haven for pirates, drug trafficking

The Minority Caucus has voiced 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.

“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.”

Concerns over National Security Operations

The Minority raised serious questions regarding the February 9 raid conducted by National Security in Sapeiman, Ga South Municipality, where 12 containers filled with gold bars and cash worth billions of dollars were uncovered.

Despite the operation being widely reported, National Security has yet to disclose the actual findings or prosecute culprits involved.

The Minority expressed fears that the assets could be misappropriated and called for transparent communication on the investigation’s progress.

Suspicious Aircraft Activity at Kotoka Airport

The Minority also revealed concerns about two suspicious flights—AirMed Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B—that recently landed at Kotoka International Airport from Gran Canaria, a location known for drug trafficking and money laundering. Intelligence suggests these flights carried suspected cocaine and cash.

The Minority demanded full disclosure of the cargo contents to assure Ghanaians of airspace security.

Pirate Attack on Ghanaian Waters

On March 27, pirates allegedly attacked the Ghanaian fishing vessel MENGXIN 1, kidnapping its Captain, Chief Mate, and Chief Engineer, all Chinese nationals. The Minority urged the government to resource the Ghana Navy with Offshore Patrol Vessels to bolster security in Ghanaian waters.

Rev Fordjour noted that a previous attempt to acquire these vessels was opposed by the NDC government, leaving the country vulnerable to exploitation by pirates.

Call to Action

The Minority pledged to hold the government accountable on these critical security matters and called for immediate measures to prevent Ghana from becoming a hub for illegal activities.

They emphasised the importance of transparency and collaboration in addressing these challenges and safeguarding the nation’s integrity on the global stage.

Source:citynews