Aviation expert supports calls for a policy to guide the use of Presidential Jet
Captain Micheal Yao Foli, an aviation analyst has agreed with Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa’s call for a national policy on the presidential jet.
The analyst indicated that the policy will go a long way to tackle problems associated with hiring a presidential jet. He expressed surprise about the fact that Ghana at this stage still does not have a specific policy to regulate that.
Revealing how he had the privilege of flying former Presidents Liman and Rawlings during their tenure as presidents of Ghana, he stated that the policy should focus on how the aircraft should be used and who can use the jet.
Our presidents’ safety should be of optimum priority as well that is why I agree with Ablakwa’s call for a presidential travel policy.
The Akufo-Addo led government has come under serious criticism from many Ghanaians recently following the revelation by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency that the President rented a private jet at a cost of £15,000 per hour when he travelled to Europe and South Africa in March this year. The Defence Minister and Finance Minister were both called before Parliament to answer questions filed by the MP.
However, after a seemingly quiet atmosphere following the Finance Minister’s unsatisfactory answers to Mr Ablakwa’s questions, another issue on the same topic has arisen. This time, the President is alleged to have spent GHS3.4 million on another private jet during his recent visit to the UK and Germany.
The lawmaker is leading the calls for a policy that will guide the use of Ghana’s Presidential Jet which according to the Defence Minister when he appeared before Parliament to answer the questions filed by Ablakwa is airworthy only that no president can take a shower in it.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
