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Cooperate with us – NACOC tells Ntim Fordjour over ‘suspicious flight’ claims
The Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Twum Barimah, has called on the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asin South, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, to cooperate with them to address his allegations regarding illicit drug trafficking and money laundering involving two aircraft that landed in Ghana.
“I will advise my good friend and brother that he should cooperate with us if he really wants us to get to the root of this matter,” he said while discussing the case on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday, April 8.
He added that to arrest persons involved in the alleged crime, Rev. Ntim’s cooperation would be very critical.
He said, “To apprehend or arrest any other person who is involved in his so-called suspicious act, he should cooperate with us, the security agencies, to make sure that we get the appropriate or required information and act on it.”
Mr Barimah emphasised that should the MP fail to cooperate with them, “The appropriate action would be taken, there are several options to go for.”
A week ago, Rev. Ntim alleged during a press briefing that intelligence they had gathered suggests that on March 20, 2025, an air ambulance, Air MED flight L823 AM, landed at the Kotoka International Airport and remained in Ghana for five days. However, there is no evidence that the aircraft carried any patient upon arrival or departure.
“There is no record of a medical referral, nor was any patient accompanied on board the flight. Instead, we are reliably informed that the air ambulance, which is specifically designed to transport patients, carried suspicious cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash in various U.S. denominations,” he claimed.
Rev. Ntim also raised concerns about a private jet, Antonov 12B, which landed at Kotoka International Airport on March 12, 2025, from Gran Canaria.
The aircraft remained in Ghana for 13 days before departing at 6:40 AM on March 25, 2025—the same day as the air ambulance. The simultaneous departure of both aircraft to the same destination has fueled further suspicions, he noted.
In response, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications has dismissed these claims made by the MP.
In an explainer posted on social media, Felix Kwakye Ofosu described Mr Fordjour’s allegations as baseless, accusing him of engaging in deliberate disinformation to undermine public confidence in the government.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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MOTCCA, GTA advance trade partnerships and promotes Black Star Experience During U.S. Trade Mission
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts and Ghana Tourism Authority has concluded a successful trade and investment mission to the United States, with official visits to Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit Michigan and Columbus, Ohio aimed at strengthening economic ties, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing tourism and the Black Star Experience.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, and included Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
At the core of the mission was the goal of establishing and expanding trade and investment relationships across key U.S. cities. The delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, business chambers, universities, and cultural organizations to position Ghana as a viable hub for international investment, tourism and trade across diverse sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, education, creative industries, and hospitality.
In Memphis, the delegation was hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa).
The visit built on the momentum from the 2022 Memphis in May International Festival, when Ghana was the honored country and a sister-city agreement was signed.
Discussions focused on expanding this partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism promotion, and education. Notably, the University of Memphis, which enrolls over 200 Ghanaian students, was highlighted as a key partner in fostering academic and cultural exchange.
In Detroit, the delegation engaged with both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders around investment collaboration. City and business leaders expressed strong interest in working with Ghana on initiatives in real estate development, entertainment and culture.
Plans are underway to organize a Ghana Cultural Fair in Detroit to celebrate Ghana’s heritage while promoting economic opportunities. In Columbus, Ohio, where Ghana remains the only country with a sister-city relationship, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Columbus.
The meetings focused on trade, with stakeholders emphasizing a shared commitment to expanding business and exchanges between Ghana and Columbus-based institutions and investors.
Ghana recognizes the vital role that the global African diaspora plays in national development and continues to champion reconnection efforts. The delegation engaged the diaspora “Ghana is committed to creating meaningful pathways for the diaspora to return, not just for visits, but to invest, to collaborate, and to contribute.
Through the Black Star Experience, we invite our brothers and sisters across the globe to reconnect with their roots while becoming active participants in Ghana’s future.”
The Black Star Experience serves as a unifying platform, welcoming global Africans and partners alike to engage with Ghana through heritage tourism, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity for both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders looking to connect with Ghana,” said Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto.
Next steps in international outreach include upcoming missions to New Orleans, New York, Washington, D.C., and other key cities across the U.S., as part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and global collaboration under the Black Star Experience.
News
Ghana and Germany Force Strategic Health Alliance
The Ministry of Health has engaged with representatives from INZAG Germany and the German Embassy in a strategic meeting aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The delegation, led by the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Müller Manuel, and officials from INZAG, met with the Minister for Health,
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key areas of partnership, including infrastructure development and health professional migration pathways.
The meeting highlighted Germany’s growing interest in investing in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to strengthening health systems across the African continent.
The discussions also focused significantly on Germany’s interest in engaging qualified Ghanaian healthcare professionals through government-to-government cooperation. Both parties explored the possibility of establishing a formal framework that would allow trained Ghanaian medical personnel to access employment opportunities in Germany under ethical and mutually beneficial terms.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of ensuring that any such migration programme aligns with Ghana’s national workforce planning strategy and includes safeguards to prevent negative impacts on local healthcare delivery.
“This collaboration must be built on reciprocity, skills development, and long-term benefits for both nations,” he stated.
The Minister expressed optimism about future engagements and extended his appreciation to the German government and INZAG for their continued interest in supporting the development of Ghana’s health sector.
Mr. Diogo Serra, the Commercial Director for INZAG, a leading German firm specializing in healthcare construction and systems engineering, reiterated the firm’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Health to develop sustainable and modern healthcare facilities across the country.
Further technical meetings have been scheduled to develop a comprehensive roadmap for implementation.
