Paga, Upper East Region
The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has called for urgent clarification from Ghanaian authorities regarding the repeated landings of a suspicious aircraft at the Paga airstrip, raising alarms over potential security risks in the border town near Burkina Faso.
In a press release issued on January 1, 2026, the group described sightings of an aircraft bearing tail number 60171, reportedly linked to the United States Army, landing at the undeveloped airstrip on three occasions between December 28 and December 31, 2025. Residents reported that the plane would take off abruptly whenever locals or security personnel approached, fueling anxiety in the community.
Tensions peaked on New Year’s Eve when district-level security agencies—including the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and National Security operatives—intercepted the aircraft and prevented its departure. According to PAYOM, the occupants refused to disembark or cooperate with officials. However, an alleged directive from the Upper East Regional Police High Command later ordered the plane’s release, classifying it as a “national security aircraft.” This intervention reportedly overrode local efforts and left community leaders and security personnel without details on the aircraft’s purpose, cargo, or destination.
The youth movement further alleged that the aircraft’s original markings appeared concealed and that independent verification tied the tail number to U.S. military registration. Unverified reports circulating in the area suggested the plane might have been transporting arms possibly destined for Burkina Faso, amid ongoing instability in the Sahel region. While emphasizing the need for official confirmation, PAYOM stressed that such claims warrant immediate investigation given Paga’s proximity to the border.
“These developments are deeply unsettling, especially in a border community with heightened security risks,” the statement read. The group also noted unsuccessful attempts by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to contact the aircraft.
PAYOM is demanding:
- A full public explanation from the Upper East Regional Police Commander.
- Clarification from National Security officials.
- An official briefing from the Ghana Armed Forces, GCAA, and Ministry of the Interior on the aircraft’s identity, flight clearance, mission, and cargo.
The group warned that it would resist any use of the airstrip for illegal activities and urged authorities to share permissible information with local security and leadership to avoid public panic during sensitive operations.
As of publication, no official response has been issued by the named authorities. The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with local radio stations like Joy 99.7 FM and Luv FM 99.5 highlighting the youth movement’s concerns.
Paga, known for its historic airstrip and crocodile ponds, has long advocated for infrastructure upgrades, including calls in 2025 to transform the facility into a regional airport. This latest controversy underscores ongoing security and development challenges in the Kassena-Nankana West District.