The suspicious aircraft which landed in Paga
Residents of Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have expressed fear and anxiety following repeated landings of a suspicious aircraft at the Paga airstrip, raising concerns about security and national sovereignty in the border community.
According to residents and local watch groups, an aircraft bearing the tail number 60171 landed at the Paga airstrip on three consecutive occasions between December 28 and December 31, 2025.
Community members say that on each occasion, attempts—sometimes involving district-level security personnel—to approach the aircraft and determine its purpose were unsuccessful, as it reportedly took off abruptly before contact could be made.
Tensions heightened on December 31, 2025, when the aircraft landed again and security agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), National Security operatives, and other allied agencies, reportedly intervened to prevent it from taking off.
However, the Paga Youth Movement, in a press release, claimed that the occupants of the aircraft refused to disembark or cooperate with security officials, a situation the group described as troubling.
The youth group further alleged that while local security agencies were investigating the matter, an instruction from the Upper East Regional Police High Command ordered the aircraft to be released on the grounds that it was a “national security aircraft.”
According to the group, this directive halted further action and left both community members and district authorities without any explanation regarding the aircraft’s mission, cargo, or destination.
The Paga Youth Movement also claimed that independent checks linked the aircraft’s tail number to the United States Army and alleged that its original markings and colour appeared to have been concealed, further heightening public suspicion. These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
The group expressed concern that district security authorities were not informed in advance of the aircraft’s activities and alleged that the District Chief Executive, who chairs the District Security Committee (DISEC), was unaware of the aircraft’s presence.
It further claimed that the Upper East Regional Minister had no prior knowledge of the operations.
According to the group, checks with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) suggested the authority was also unaware of the aircraft and had reportedly made unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with it.
Given Paga’s proximity to Burkina Faso and other Sahelian countries affected by ongoing insecurity, the youth group warned that the incident should not be treated lightly.
It cited unverified reports suggesting the aircraft may have been carrying arms allegedly destined for Burkina Faso, stressing that while such claims require official clarification, they raise serious concerns.
The Paga Youth Movement is calling for a full public explanation from the Regional Police Commander, a clear statement from National Security, and an official briefing from the Ghana Armed Forces, the aviation authorities, and the Ministry of the Interior on the identity, clearance, mission, and cargo of the aircraft.
The group also wants assurances that no aircraft will operate in the area without the knowledge of local and regional security authorities.
The group said it remains ready to cooperate with authorities and the media by providing additional information and evidence.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Upper East Regional Minister, the Kassena-Nankana West District Chief Executive, and the Regional Police Commander for official comment were unsuccessful.
