Residents of Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have been gripped by fear and anxiety following the repeated landing of an unidentified aircraft at the Paga airstrip, sparking concerns about security and national sovereignty in the border community.
According to residents and local community watch groups, the aircraft—bearing tail number 60171—was sighted landing at the airstrip on three consecutive days between December 28 and December 31, 2025.
Community members say that on each occasion, attempts—sometimes with the support of district-level security agencies—to approach the aircraft and determine its purpose were unsuccessful, as the aircraft reportedly took off abruptly before it could be reached.
The situation escalated on December 31, 2025, when the aircraft landed again. This time, security agencies reportedly intervened and prevented the aircraft from taking off.
However, the Paga Youth Movement claims that the occupants of the aircraft refused to disembark or engage with security officials, a development the group described as deeply troubling.
In a press release, the youth group said that while security agencies were attempting to investigate the matter, an alleged directive from the Upper East Regional Police High Command ordered the aircraft to be released on the grounds that it was a “national security aircraft.” The group said the directive overruled local security efforts and denied both community members and district authorities any explanation regarding the aircraft’s mission, cargo, or destination.
The Paga Youth Movement further claimed that independent checks linked the aircraft’s tail number to the United States Army, and that the aircraft’s original colour and markings appeared to have been deliberately concealed—an action the group said has heightened public suspicion and anxiety.
The group also expressed concern that district security agencies were not pre-informed of the aircraft’s activities and that the District Chief Executive (DCE), who chairs the District Security Committee (DISEC), was allegedly unaware of the aircraft’s presence.
According to the group, the Upper East Regional Minister was also unaware of the aircraft’s operations. Additionally, they claimed that checks with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) suggested the authority had no prior knowledge of the aircraft and had reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with it.
The Paga Youth Movement is demanding a full public explanation from the Regional Police Commander, a clear statement from National Security, and an official briefing from the Ghana Armed Forces, aviation authorities, and the Ministry of the Interior on the aircraft’s identity, mission, clearance, and cargo.
The group also called for measures to ensure that no aircraft operates at the Paga airstrip without the knowledge of local and regional security authorities.
The youth 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, attempts to reach the Upper East Regional Minister, the Kassena-Nankana West District Chief Executive, and the Regional Police Commander for comment were unsuccessful.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Moses Apiah | Paga
