“Suspicious Flights” Controversy: Oppong Nkrumah says Kwakye-Ofosu was misinformed, not dishonest

Former Information Minister and current Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has come to the defence of Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye-Ofosu amidst the ongoing debate over alleged suspicious flights linked to drug trafficking and money laundering through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

In an interview on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning Show on Wednesday, April 9, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah offered a balanced view of the situation, acknowledging the pressure government spokespersons face when communicating on sensitive national security matters.

“Look at this Air Med matter… I don’t think he [Felix] cooked up that story. I believe it was a brief he was given,” Oppong Nkrumah said, dismissing suggestions that Kwakye-Ofosu deliberately misled the public.

“I will defend my brother Felix any day that he is not a liar… It is the information that he was given, and he has put out that information, and that information is not correct,” he clarified, signaling that any inaccuracies stemmed from flawed briefings rather than intentional deception.

Drawing from his own experience as a former information minister, he acknowledged how difficult it can be to independently verify every detail when relying on briefings from state agencies. “There is no way the minister could know whether the information he is briefed on is true or false… You are only a government spokesperson. So, you will mouth these words, and then people will say this guy is a liar,” he explained.

Oppong Nkrumah further extended his support to Kwakye-Ofosu, saying, “Felix is doing a very difficult job; I wish him well.”

His comments present a stark contrast to the stance taken by some members of his own party, particularly Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee. Rev. Fordjour has been outspoken in accusing the government of covering up the nature of the flights. According to him, the aircraft originated from Gran Canaria, not Luanda, and may have been carrying illegal cargo.

Kwakye-Ofosu, in an earlier video statement, firmly rejected those claims, describing them as baseless. He insisted that the aircraft carried out legitimate activities and had “no connection to narcotics or illegal money.”

The controversy has since escalated, with the Minority in Parliament submitting a formal petition to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. They are calling for international support to thoroughly investigate the flights, citing Ghana’s obligations under global anti-drug and anti-money laundering treaties.

Oppong Nkrumah’s remarks may mark a turning point in the conversation. While acknowledging that the information shared was incorrect, he offered a more nuanced understanding of the challenges in government communication, suggesting the error was not rooted in dishonesty but in misinformation.

His diplomatic tone has struck a chord with many, potentially easing political tensions and paving the way for a more collaborative, bipartisan investigation. As public demand for transparency and accountability grows, stakeholders across government, Parliament, and civil society are under pressure to ensure a thorough probe—and that any wrongdoing is brought to light.

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