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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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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
