Government has clarified its position on using the Presidential Jet to transport the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Weah, to participate in the emergency ECOWAS Summit during the recent political crisis in Guinea.
Statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration explained that the gesture towards the Liberian President was out of magnanimity and good neighbourliness therefore must not be misconstrued as an impropriety.
“It is common knowledge that as part of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations, various friendly States provide assistance of different forms to each other. Thus, Ghanaian leaders have in the past, been transported to different parts of the world On the Presidential aircraft of other States”.
The statement continued that “It must be emphasized that the practice of sharing travel resources among West African Heads of State and high-ranking officials, is not a recent phenomenon. Indeed, in the past, some Heads of State have, in their capacity as Chair of ECOWAS, extended this courtesy”.
Government providing more justification said “It is a matter of public record that during his tenure, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo used to offer President Kufuor a ride aboard the Nigerian Presidential jet to regional Summits”.
Government also assures it is not on a quest to dissipate wantonly State resources, but is focused on pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy which fosters regional integration and good neighbourliness in a climate of peace and stability.
“Furthermore, the Government of Ghana is committed to the noble objectives of the African Union, and will spare no effort in working towards a peaceful, prosperous, and truly United Africa”, the statement concluded.
