We cannot disclose the cost of Akufo-Addo’s trips for security reasons – Albert Kan Dapaah
National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah has refused to reveal the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s trips on a chartered luxurious jet to France, Belgium and South Africa.
The Minister revealed that operational funds from National Security Ministry bear the cost of such trips and as such the exact amount cannot be disclosed.
In response to questions from North Tongu legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister explained that such information cannot be made public for security reasons.
Even Mr Ablakwa persistence could not get the Minister to reveal the figures with regards to such trips.
“Mr Speaker, recent official travels to France, Belgium, and South Africa by President Akufo-Addo are paid for out of the operational funds from the Ministry of National Security. Mr Speaker payments out of the ministry’s operational funds are glued with rules of confidentiality and state secrecy and it is not the normal practice…to make the suggested disclosures,” Mr.Kan Dapaah stated.
President Akufo-Addo has faced criticisms from a section of the public led by lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa after he abandoned the country’s presidential jet and decided to charter a luxurious jet for his trips. The government pays $14, 000 an hour for the luxurious jet.
It is estimated that the President’s recent trips have shortened the taxpayer by over GH¢15 million.
Though the government could not justify why a private jet was hired, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul once revealed that the President needed to take his bath while on the way for functions which are far and thus needed a jet that can offer him that opportunity to bath while in the air, a feature Ghana’s jet does not have. That according to him is one of the reasons why the President uses a chartered flight.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
