The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is calling for a national Presidential travel policy to be implemented.
Speaking with regards to the high amount the President’s use of private jets’ cost to the nation, he averred the policy must be introduced to help save the tax payers money.
“It has become absolutely imperative to demand a national policy on presidential travels akin to what pertains in other jurisdictions. This is most crucial to avoid the wanton abuse of discretion by President Akufo-Addo at the expense of the suffering taxpayer.
“If the President has no use for Ghana’s presidential jet, he may as well sell it. So, we can at the very least raise some funds to buy vaccines. A National Presidential Travel Policy is a MUST and we need it NOW!”
Okudzeto Ablakwa
Touching on the cause of this situation, he indicated that its due to
“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unable to wean himself off his insatiable appetite for ultra-luxury charter jets;at the expense of the struggling Ghanaian taxpayer. He remains totally impervious to the backlash and;the outcry from Ghanaians demanding that he lives up to his own pledge;to protect the public purse by utilizing the presidential jet which is a far cheaper and safer option”.
Okudzeto Ablakwa
President prefers luxury jet
The MP further revealed that despite the availability of the Presidential jet [The Dassault Falcon 900-EXE], the President still prefers the luxury charter jets which currently cost about £14,000 per hour.
“From our continuous monitoring,;President Akufo-Addo still prefers to use VIP charter jets for his European travels;despite being in firm possession of Ghana’s presidential jet – the Dassault Falcon 900-EXE which remains in pristine condition and can fly non-stop to all those European destinations.
“Our latest oversight reveals that following the public outrage in the aftermath of President Akufo-Addo’s profligate expedition in May;this year by opting for the world’s most expensive and most extravagant private charter aircraft – the Airbus ACJ320neo;which does not cost its clientele below £15,000 per hour to lease,;he has since stayed away from that particular aircraft, and for very obvious reasons. This development may represent a rather small victory for the Ghanaian people, one may choose to argue.
“He opted for another top of the range VIP luxury charter jet specifically known to industry players as the Boeing 737-900ER BBJ3 [LX-DIO]. If our government is dealing directly with the operators of the LX-DIO then it is costing the Ghanaian taxpayer at least US$14,000 per hour
Okudzeto Ablakwa
He further accused the President for refusing to use the Falcon for his recent travels;to the UK on the 27th of July, 2021 to attend the Global Education Summit and last week’s state visit to Germany.
Battle for accountability will continue
Mr. Ablakwa however indicated that, the battle for accountability on the President’s earlier trip has not ended and assured that his latest misconduct will also be subjected to surgical scrutiny by the NDC Caucus in Parliament when the August House resumes.
Mr. Ablakwa then urged the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration to govern with conscience and with true sincerity.
“How can you ask protesting FixTheCountry youth, covid frontline healthcare workers, organized labor including agitating members of UTAG, GNAT, NAGRAT, Senior Staff Association-University of Ghana (SSA-UoG), Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association, GMA and a host of others to burden share and accept a paltry 4% wage increase to be paid by installment and still proceed to engage in such cruel wasteful extravagance?”
Okudzeto Ablakwa
