Cocaine Brouhaha: Ghanaian businessman involved

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Hannah Tetteh has hinted that a Ghanaian businessman has been named in the infamous Nayele Ametefeh cocaine brouhaha.

According to her, the businessman (name withheld) assisted Ms Ametefeh through a telephone call he made to the VVIP lounge of the Kotoka International Airport, requesting that the suspect be given a preferential treatment to board the plane.

The Minister also stated emphatically that her outfit has not authorized the issuance of a Diplomatic passport to Ms. Nayele Ametefeh.

Ms. Nayele Ametefeh, alias Ruby Adu Gyamfi, alias Angel, was recently arrested at the Heathrow International Airport- London- on November 10, 2014 carrying 12.5 kilogrammes of substance confirmed to be cocaine.

Media reports after her arrest suggested that Ms. Ametefeh travelled to London on a Ghanaian Diplomatic passport.

It further linked the drug suspect to the first family thereby, alleging that the suspect was assisted at the Kotoka International Airport by persons close to the President.

The government communication machinery led by the Minister of Communications, Dr. Omane Boamah, subsequently rebuffed the claims stating that the suspect travelled to London on an Austrian passport.

Nevertheless, many political players especially from the opposition New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Party have called the government’s denial of issuing a Diplomatic passport to Ms Ametefeh a blatant lie.

To clear the air once and for all, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, who is responsible for authorizing the issuance of Diplomatic passports to government officials who mostly travel outside the country, says Ms. Ametefeh has no Ghanaian Diplomatic passport.

“Since I became Foreign Affairs Minister, I have not authorized the issuance of a Diplomatic passport to Nayele Ametefeh, alias Ruby Adu Gyamfi or whatever name she may be using,” she told the Gold Power Drive morning show host, Alhassan Suhuyini on Tuesday.

She added that, “I am the only person who can authorize a Diplomatic passport. If any of my staff issue a Diplomatic passport from the passport office without my prior authorization, that essentially means that they have attempted to commit an unlawful act.”

Ms. Hannah Tetteh assured that her Ministry will investigate the matter to its logical conclusion to ensure that all persons associated with the Nayele Ametefeh cocaine scandal face the law.

Ms. Hannah Tetteh further revealed that a Ghanaian businessman (name withheld), contacted one Abiel Ashitey Armah to assist Ms. Ametefeh to use the VVIP lounge to get on the plane.

According to the Minister, Ms. Ametefeh got on board the plane with only her handbag, noting that a bag was later delivered to her on the plane which contained the cocaine.

Ms. Nayele Ametefeh, alias Ruby Adu Gyamfi, alias Angel, is also reported to have told Ghanaian consular officers in London that she did not travel on a Ghanaian passport even though she was carrying one.

The suspect has, however, refused to name her employer noting that she is aware of the consequences of her actions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration pointed out.