An Aviation Analyst, Captain Michael Yao Foli, has said the presidency is not a cheap position so Ghanaians should not expect President Akufo-Addo to travel the cheapest way.
According to the former pilot who flew Rawlings and Limann, the security of the president is paramount thus everything needs to be done to ensure that his safety is guaranteed if it has to come at an extra cost.
Speaking on TV3 on Saturday, Captain Michael Yao Foli maintained that until a policy is formulated on presidential jets and travel, the president is at liberty to pick and choose which aircraft best suits his safety, comfort and security.
“When aircraft should be purchased and how long it should be used for. The policy should state clearly who can use the presidential jet.
“I don’t think anybody will like our president to travel the cheapest way, it is not proper, it is not safe, he is our president , his safety is our concern. The next question is, why are we using this aircraft when we have our won presidential jet?
“Aircraft seem how to have some technical challenges that is the reason why I will agree with honorable Ablakwa that there should be a presidential travel policy. If this aircraft is developing problems then the question is what policy do we have when it comes to purchasing aircraft for presidential use.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had earlier revealed that President Akufo-Addo rented a luxurious private jet for his recent trip to Germany which costs $15,000 per hour.
According to him, the president spent over GH¢3 Million on his recent trips to Germany to England. The costs have ballooned due to the private jet he decided to go for.
Following widespread public outrage over the president’s decision to spend more than 2.4 million Ghana cedis on private jets in May, the North Tongu MP claimed that the president rented another luxurious jet for his recent trips, costing the taxpayer more than £15,000 per hour.
In a post on his Facebook page, Ablakwa stated that the total cost of the president’s recent trips amounts to a whopping US$574,000.00.
