A governance expert Professor Agyeman-Duah said timing for the proposed plan of acquiring new presidential jet is bad due to the current economic hardship.
Professor Agyeman-Duah further argued that among challenges that are facing the country, acquiring presidential jet cannot be top on the priority list, thus called on government to be sensitive to the plight of the citizenry.
He insisted that “Currently, I’m not aware of any serious situation that warrants the acquisition of a new jet. I think the Presidency should be sensitive to the people and if I was to advise the Presidency, I’ll say this is not the time to acquire a new jet,” he told Francis Abban on Morning Starr Wednesday September 29, 2021.
Government has announced it has initiated process to acquire a new and bigger presidential jet. This was disclosed by the Director of Communication at the Presidency Eugene Arhin when he briefed the Presidential Press Corp on Monday September 27, 2021.
Mr. Arhin told the Presidential Press Corp during the briefing that “You would recollect that Minister of Defense has made it clear that government has decided to buy a bigger Jet to save us from all this troubles. I wouldn’t want to go into details but I’m sure when Minister of Defense has opportunity to give further information as to what government is doing with respect to that, I’m sure you will know about it”.
The Director of Communication at the Presidency stressed that “I know for a fact that, yes he rightly indicated, government is already in the process of acquiring a bigger jet for use”.
The minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has since the announcement made its position clear that they will not give support to the proposal if it does come before them.
MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said he and his colleagues will not endorse any attempt to purchase new Aircraft for the Presidency when the old Jet is said to be in good health and laying idle.
“I must say emphatically that we will not back any deal to buy new Presidential Jet. There is nothing wrong with the current Presidential Jet” he stressed.
Adding his voice to that of the minority caucus, the Chief Executive Officer of John Agyekum Kuffour Foundation Professor Agyeman-Duah believes the country is not ready for new presidential Aircraft.
“I think that the timing is not appropriate especially when we have so many things facing us as a nation. I’m also asking why at this point in time, the Presidency wants to acquire a new jet,” he added.
