Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, says the decision by President John Mahama to use a private jet owned by his brother for official trips is a temporary measure due to frequent breakdowns of the presidential aircraft.
His remarks follow the Minority’s allegation that President Mahama has violated the Code of Conduct for government appointees by frequently using a private jet owned by his brother for official international trips.
Speaking to JoyNews in Parliament, the New Patriotic Party lawmakers said the arrangement raises serious ethical questions and constitutes what he called a “clear conflict of interest.”
However, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that since the current administration assumed office, the presidential jet has experienced several technical faults, raising concerns about safety, cost, and reliability.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, March 12, he disclosed that the Communications Squadron of the Ghana Air Force wrote to Cabinet warning that the frequent breakdowns of the aircraft posed safety risks and affected operational efficiency.
“They indicated that the situation raises safety issues, cost issues, and reliability concerns, and therefore recommended that the government procure a new aircraft together with other planes for the Air Force,” he explained.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said Cabinet approved the recommendation and forwarded the agreement to the Parliament of Ghana, where it was subsequently approved by lawmakers.
He added that the process to procure the new presidential jet and other aircraft for the Air Force is currently underway.
“In the meantime, the President still needs to travel. Rather than taking taxpayers’ money to rent aircraft at about $18,000 an hour, as happened previously, the President has decided to use his brother’s jet,” he said.
He added that the arrangement helps the country avoid the high cost of chartering aircraft while awaiting the arrival of the new presidential jet.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com