The minority caucus in Parliament is urging the government to resume the procurement process for the purchase of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Ghana Navy.

This follows a recent pirate attack on a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, which resulted in the kidnapping of its crew members, mostly Chinese nationals.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, April 1, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, emphasised the urgent need for enhanced security on Ghanaian territorial waters.

The Minority reiterated the need for the government to strengthen Ghana’s maritime security by resuming the procurement of OPVs.

Rev. Fordjour recalled that in 2024, the previous government had advanced plans to acquire two OPVs for the Ghana Navy.

However, these plans were opposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament, leading to the process being halted.

“With pirates aware of Ghana’s naval deficiencies, the lack of offshore patrol vessels leaves our waters vulnerable to further attacks. To enhance security and deter criminal activities at sea, we strongly urge the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense to prioritise the purchase of two offshore patrol vessels. We also call for the recommencement of the procurement process, with parliamentary approval and subsequent acquisition,” he stressed.

He also urged the government to take decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and, more importantly, to equip the Ghana Navy with the necessary resources to prevent other incidents.

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MP for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour

The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over what they say are two suspicious flights that landed in Ghana in March.

According to them, the two flights suspected to be carrying cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash landed in Ghana between March 20 and March 25, 2025.

Addressing a press conference on April 1, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, said the Minority caucus intercepted an intelligence indicating that an air ambulance landed in Ghana without any referral of patients.

He said: “On the matter of AirMed flights and Cavok Air private jets transporting suspected cocaine and cash, ladies and gentlemen, on another security matter related to our airspace, the Minority Caucus calls on National Security to provide the contents of a cargo suspected to be carrying contents suspected to be cocaine and cash imported into the country by two suspicious flights, namely AirMed flight NH23AM and Cavok Air private jet Antonov AN 12 B which landed at the tarmac of Kotoka International Airport on March 2025 from Gran Canaria, an island in Spain and departed to the same Gran Canaria after the arrival.”

It added that reliable intelligence intercepted by the Minority Caucus says that on March 20, 2025, AirMed flight NH23AM, which is an air ambulance designed specifically to carry patients, landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and remained in the country before departing at 1 am on March 25, 2025, back to Gran Canarian island.

“Our intelligence further posits that no patient was transported by the said air flight neither to or from Accra. There is no evidence of medical referral of patients or onboard the flights on either legs of the flight. We are reliably informed that contrary to the expectation that the AirMed flight would carry patients, the purpose for which it was designed and operates, it rather, on this occasion, carried suspicious cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash in various United States dollars denominations,” he added.

The Minority also said a private jet, Cavok Air Antonov ANN12B also landed at the Kotoka International Airport on March 12, 2025, from the same island of Spain, Gran Canaria, and remained in the country for 13 days and departed at 6:40 am on March 25, 2025, to Gran Canaria the very day AirMed flight also departed to Gran Canaria.

“While it is intriguing that the two suspicious flights would depart to the same location on the same day, even more intriguing is the cargo suspiciously transported by these aircrafts to and from Gran Canaria, an island known for its notoriety in drug trafficking, money laundering, among others,” the Minority noted.

They have, however, called on the National Security to make full disclosure of the content of the cargo carried by these two aircraft into the country, as well as the cargo carried out of the country by the same aircraft to Gran Canaria.

SSD/AE

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Some traders cashing out at the event

The town of Amanokrom in the Akuapem North Constituency came alive on Saturday, March 29, 2025, as it hosted the maiden edition of the Ofie Market, a local trade fair aimed at connecting farmers directly with consumers.

The initiative, spearheaded by Sammi Awuku, drew massive patronage and widespread commendation from farmers, traders, and residents alike.

The market saw an impressive turnout, with fresh produce, grains, vegetables, and other locally made goods selling out quickly.

For many of the participating farmers and traders, it was a breakthrough moment after months of struggling with limited market access and post-harvest losses.

“I haven’t sold this much in a long time,” one trader exclaimed.

“We can only thank Hon. Sammi Awuku for this. I am pleading that he makes this a regular event—maybe every two weeks.”

A local farmer, overwhelmed by the demand, added that “This has been a great relief for us. We often experience post-harvest losses because we lack access to buyers. God bless Sammi Awuku for us. My produce was finished in the truck before we could even offload.”

Consumers also expressed satisfaction with the quality, quantity, and affordability of the goods on sale. A shopper who traveled from Accra remarked, “This is a brilliant initiative. I got everything I planned to get and even more. I believe I have enough to last my family for the next one month.”

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Sammi Awuku shared the inspiration behind the initiative.

“During my campaign rounds last year, I realized that we had a significant number of farmers, especially in the southern part of the constituency near the lower hills. Many of them expressed concern over post-harvest losses and the meager income they make from the few goods they manage to sell,” he said.

“This Ofie Market is my response to that need. I am particularly pleased with what I’m seeing here today. My hope is that our hardworking farmers will be encouraged to increase their yields to meet the growing demand we’ve created. We intend to hold this market on the last Saturday of every month. So the next Ofie Market will be on the 26th of April, 2025.”

The initiative also received strong backing from traditional leadership. The Chief of Amanokrom, Nana Osim Kwatia II, lauded the MP’s vision and the positive economic ripple effects the event had on the town.

“This is a great initiative,” the Chief stated. “May God bless our son, Sammi Awuku, for this effort. Beyond the market sales, it has also brought some economic activity to our town. I see food vendors and other small businesses also benefitting. Let’s all work hard to sustain this.”

With its strong debut, the Ofie Market is poised to become a transformative platform for agribusiness and grassroots economic empowerment in Akuapem North.

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