Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, has formally petitioned the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana to intervene in what is fast becoming one of the most controversial international security matters in recent memory, the Gran Canaria flight scandal.
In a letter addressed to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Maher Kheir, Jinapor is calling for “diplomatic collaboration” with Ghana’s security agencies to unravel the mystery surrounding the suspicious landings of two AirMed and Cavok Air flights at the Kotoka International Airport.
The Minority Caucus, through Jinapor, has demanded a multilayered investigative approach involving both domestic and international actors, stressing that the implications of failing to act decisively on this matter are dire for Ghana’s national security and international reputation.
“Indeed, several well-meaning, patriotic and concerned Ghanaians, security experts, and the international community, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have called for thorough investigations into the matter”
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
This call follows a press conference held by the Minority on April 1st, which raised grave concerns over the alleged landing of planes purportedly involved in the transport of illicit goods and funds.
According to the Hon. Jinapor, the Minority’s suspicions appear to be confirmed by independent findings which now indicate that the two AirMed flights originated from Gran Canaria, as claimed and not Luanda, as previously counter-stated by government officials.
Contradictions and Dismissals
The scandal escalated when the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, dismissed the allegations as baseless and called any investigation into the matter “a waste of time.”
According to Hon. Jinapor, such statements are not only irresponsible but undermine the authority of the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, who had ordered state investigative agencies to launch a full probe into the matter.
“Even before these investigations could commence – the Minister attempted to make a U-turn – insinuating that the President did not mean it when he called for investigations into the matter”
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
The minority however insists that facts on the ground are proving their concerns valid.
There remain unanswered questions about the flight history of the Cavok Air planes and whether those aircrafts landed at all in Ghana on the dates in question. These inconsistencies, Jinapor argues, justify a full-scale investigation.
Treaties, Laws, and Global Obligations
Jinapor reminded the international community that Ghana is signatory to several global conventions, including the “UN Conventions against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and against Transnational Organised Crime.”
Domestically, the country has passed key legislation like the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
These form the legal framework to counter illicit drug trafficking and money laundering.
“We have adopted legislative, regulatory and administrative measures necessary to curb illicit traffic of drugs and money laundering – but they will amount to nothing if allegations such as this are not investigated”
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
The letter to the Diplomatic Corps outlines five specific requests: the sharing of relevant intelligence with Ghanaian authorities; security collaboration with foreign agencies; assistance to Parliament in protecting Ghana’s global image.
It also calls for encouragement for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry under Article 278 of the Constitution; and protection for whistleblowers and Members of Parliament carrying out their oversight duties.
A particular concern for the Minority is the safety of Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, who they claim played a critical role in bringing the matter to light.
Jinapor warned that failing to act decisively risks painting Ghana as a potential “transit hub for illicit activities, with far-reaching political, economic and diplomatic consequences.”
He described the situation as a litmus test of Ghana’s credibility in the global fight against organised crime.
“Ghana must continue to act above board, and collaborate with the rest of the world to combat transnational organised crimes, particularly, trafficking of illicit drugs and money laundering”
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
The Minority insists that the urgency of the matter cannot be overstated.
As international pressure mounts and diplomatic channels are activated, the government’s next move could prove pivotal in either restoring confidence or deepening the perception of a system vulnerable to infiltration and evasion.
