The Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of practising what he describes as “reckless politics” over presidential travel arrangements during the previous administration.
According to the lawmaker, the NDC repeatedly criticised the travel arrangements of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while in opposition, only to adopt similar practices after assuming power.
His comments come amid an ongoing public debate over the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to use a private jet belonging to his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official trips.
Speaking on the matter, Rev. Fordjour argued that the criticism levelled against the Akufo-Addo administration at the time was politically motivated rather than grounded in principle.
He maintained that the President must ensure the state’s presidential jet is functional and available for official travel, just as the NDC demanded of Mr Akufo-Addo when he was in office.
“The NDC did reckless politics with presidential travels. Anytime a president is travelling, their safety is paramount, whether it is on a rented or state-owned aircraft. But let us bring it into context. You claimed that the presidential jet is available, but why are you not using it?” he said.
He added that former President Akufo-Addo was expected to use the aircraft at all times, even when it had been undergoing repairs for months and required him to charter private flights.
“Akufo-Addo was expected to use it at all times, even though it was in repair for months and needed to go for a privately chartered aircraft. They had a big problem with it; they bastardised him and weaponised it for campaign gains,” he said.
Rev. Fordjour further claimed that the Falcon presidential jet is currently in the country and in satisfactory condition.
“Now the Falcon is there; it is not under any maintenance. It is parked right here in Ghana and is in satisfactory airworthiness,” he stated.
The use of chartered or private aircraft for presidential travel has frequently sparked debate in Ghana, particularly regarding cost, transparency, and security considerations.
Read also: President Mahama’s use of brother’s private jet breaches his own code of conduct – Walewale MP
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
