The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has stated that he was not asked about the cost of the President’s trips as being purported by some media firms.
Speaking in an interview on his comments in Parliament, he averred that the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Okudzeto Ablakwa only inquired about the airworthiness of the aircraft used by the President.
“Sometimes the reportage from some of our Ghanaian journalist can be very disheartening but that is the sort of nation we have. Ablakwa at no time asked me about the cost of the President’s travel, neither did he ask me about the type of aircraft the President used. It is side commentary that some journalists are introducing into it.”
Dominic Nitiwul
He clarified that he answered the question in Parliament on the cost of the presidential jet and further used the opportunity to raise an appeal on behalf of the airforce for a larger jet.
“He asked me a question on if the aircraft is airworthy and I answered that it is airworthy and I used the opportunity to say that though it is airworthy, it is not serving the purpose for which Ghana Airforce wants to use it.
“The air force is saying that give us a larger jet that will not only serve only executives but also serve others either than the executives. An aircraft that will be ferrying Ghanaian soldiers to peacekeeping and back and of course also ferrying Ghanaian Executives.”
Dominic Nitiwul
He iterated that what Honorable Okudzeto Ablakwa was putting out that the President is spending lavishly is totally false.
Falcon has some limitations
Mr. Nitiwul further noted that although a little over $35 million was paid to purchase the Falcon,;the aircraft although powerful has it’s limitations and as such resulting in the President using another jet for his travels.
“Unfortunately it can only pick 8 people when it is going on very long hauls.”
Dominic Nitiwul
Mr. Nitiwul also said the Ghana Airforce has been looking for an opportunity to let the people of Ghana know through the executives that they need a new aircraft which they term as the strategic airlift.
He revealed that, the force had requested for an aircraft and President Kufuor granted them the choice. He said “even though he [Kufuor] knew at that time that it will arrive when he is no more President. And so, they were very happy but the NDC cancelled it.”
He then called on Ghanaians to help the air force of the Republic of Ghana,;in asking for a new jet that would enable them to be able to do their work efficiently.
According to him, the presidential jet,;a Ghana Airforce Falcon Ex-Easy could only carry 11 passengers minus the crew and it often had to do;“undesirable refueling stops at unintended destinations” during long hauls, causing inconvenience to both the President and the host countries.
