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Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has asserted that Ghana’s presidential jet is in excellent condition and should be used for official international travel instead of resorting to commercial flights.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, January 22, Mr. Nitiwul criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to avoid the jet for his trip to the United Arab Emirates, describing the move as unwarranted.
“The presidential jet is serviceable and fully operational. It is wrong for the President of the Republic to use commercial flights when Ghana has invested heavily in acquiring this aircraft,” Nitiwul stated.
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The comments followed a parliamentary communication that informed members about the president’s travel arrangements, prompting New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to enquire about the choice of transportation.
Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, clarified that President Mahama opted for a commercial flight for the UAE trip.
He also questioned the criticism, pointing to the previous administration’s preference for private luxury jets over the presidential aircraft.
“The jet is serviceable today, yet it was allegedly unserviceable when the previous president was in office. Why did the former president never use it?” Agbodza queried.
The issue of presidential travel has been a recurring topic, with some questioning why the presidential jet is not consistently used. While President Mahama has occasionally flown on a private jet owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, officials insist this has not incurred costs for the state.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson also weighed in, affirming that President Mahama has never rented a private jet during his administration.
