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The minister-designate for foreign affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has vowed to push for the creation of a comprehensive presidential travel policy to regulate official trips undertaken by Ghana’s head of state.
Speaking during his vetting before the Appointments Committee, Mr. Ablakwa argued that such a policy would enhance transparency and accountability in the use of state resources for presidential travel.
A long-time critic of what he described as excessive travel expenses under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr. Ablakwa insisted that Ghana must establish clear guidelines to prevent wasteful spending and ensure efficient management of state resources.
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“This is a matter that I am very passionate about, and I, if given the opportunity at the cabinet, will propose that Ghana formulate a presidential travel policy,” he stated.
Drawing comparisons with international best practices, Mr. Ablakwa cited the United States’ Air Force One model, where presidents reimburse the state for private trips and strict guidelines determine jet usage and maintenance.
“If you take the US, when the President uses the presidential jet (Air Force One) for private trips, he is made to reimburse the state. They also have clear guidelines on who can use those jets and how they should be maintained. We don’t have that,” he explained.
Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for the policy, emphasising its importance in promoting accountability and responsible governance.
“It is important to pursue that policy. I can assure you that I remain committed to it, and I think that it is time for the government to have a presidential travel policy,” he added.
If implemented, the proposed presidential travel policy could set a new standard for governance, ensuring that state resources are utilised efficiently while preventing unnecessary expenditures on official and private trips.
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