A member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Okudzeto Ablakwa claims Ghana’s presidential jet has been turned into a presidential Uber for other African leaders.
When President Akufo-Addo charters private jets for his overseas excursions, other African heads of state have utilized Ghana’s presidential jet on more than ten occasions, according to the North Tongu MP.
The MP asked Foreign Minister Shirley Ayokor-Botchwey how much it cost the Ghanaian taxpayer for Ghana’s presidential jet to be used by other heads of state.
Ghana decided to give up the Presidential plane after considering its important links with its neighbors, according to the Foreign Minister.
She, on the other hand, refused to specify how much it cost the Ghanaian taxpayer, claiming that was the responsibility of the National Security Minister.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that he is dissatisfied with the Minister’s responses and that he will continue to seek for more information.
The North Tongu legislator expressed concern that the presidential jet is being utilized as a presidential Uber to transport other African leaders.
“We continue to give this presidential plane away for free; they don’t even pay for aviation fuel.” So there must be some guidelines, some protocol, so it doesn’t turn into a presidential Uber.”
“Why is it that when our president needs to travel, especially to Europe and America, he charters these ultra-luxurious planes and then leaves our presidential jet in the hands of other African presidents?” he continued.
Meanwhile, Albert Kan Dapaah, the National Security Minister, will appear before Parliament on Friday to respond to Okudzeto Ablakwa’s query on the cost of chartering private jets for his foreign trips.
Source: GhanaWish.com
