The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has disclosed that it is normal practice for Heads of States in other countries in the subregion to use the country’s Presidential jets.
According to the Ministry, it finds North Tongu legislator, Samuel Okudzetu Ablakwa’s comment on Liberian President’s use of Ghana’s presidential jet unfortunate.
The Ministry explained that despite Mr Ablakwa’s motive to suggest that it is improper to lend the presidential jet to George Oppong Weah, it is a natural occurrence.
The Ministry insisted that Mr. Ablakwa’s “insular posture comes as a surprise”. Contained in a press statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it revealed that such assistance is part of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations among countries, adding that Ghanaian leaders have in the past also benefitted from such gestures.
“In the latest of such utterances, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa sought to suggest that transporting the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Weah, aboard Ghana’s presidential jet to participate in the emergency ECOWAS Summit during the recent political crisis in Guinea, constituted an impropriety. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“It must be emphasized that the practice of sharing travel resources among West African Heads of State and high-ranking officials, is not a recent phenomenon. Indeed, in the past, some Heads of State have, in their capacity as Chair of ECOWAS, extended this courtesy”.
Foreign Affairs Ministry
North Tongu MP demands answers
As part of the North Tonug legislator’s demand for some answers from the Foreign Affairs Minister when Parliament reconvenes, he is seeking to question why the Liberian President was allowed to use the Presidential jet.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that it has taken strong exceptions to the position by Mr. Ablakwa who happens to be a ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.
In an effort to corroborate its stance, the ministry stated that Presidents’ in the past such as Obasanjo used to offer “President Kuffuor a ride aboard the Nigerian Presidential jet to regional summits”.
“In the light of the strenuous and concerted efforts by ECOWAS leaders to broker peace in the region, the Ministry finds it rather unfortunate that Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa would seek to deliberately muddy the waters with these negative comments.
“Government is not on a quest to dissipate wantonly State resources but is focused on pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy that fosters regional integration and good neighbourliness in a climate of peace and stability. This ultimately inures to the benefit of Ghana and West Africa at large”.
Foreign Affairs Ministry
The Ministry stated that Mr Ablakwa’s expectation that Ghana would bill the Heads of State who have been lent the jet shows his lack of understanding of the goodwill, camaraderie, and cooperation which exists amongst ECOWAS Heads of State.
“In an era when Ghana’s leadership and citizenry are championing a renewal of Pan-Africanism across the continent and the diaspora; with free trade taking off under the AfCFTA, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa’s insular posture comes as a surprise to the Ministry”.
Foreign Affairs Ministry
