The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the country has saved an amount of GHS3.3 million as the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, traveled for the Dubai Expo via a commercial flight.
The North Tongu MP stated that instead of doling out another installment of GHS3.3million to an European company, the country can keep it and hopefully, use it for something more prudent to the benefit of the nation.
“By commendably opting to fly First Class on Emirates and avoiding another extravagant charter, President Akufo-Addo has saved the Ghanaian taxpayer an impressive US$468,000.00. That is equivalent to a staggering GHS3,306,139.20.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that Global Jet Luxembourg, operators of the President’s flight— the Boeing 737-97YER(BBJ3), registered LX-DIO, had earlier informed its clientele that due to prevailing global economic conditions, beginning this month of March, it would now cost approximately US$18,000.00 per hour, and no longer US14,000.00 to rent the ultimate flying symbol of obscene ostentation.
The MP averred that he sincerely applauds President Akufo-Addo for flying commercial to the Dubai Expo as he left Ghana yesterday, March 7, 2022. Okudzeto Ablakwa averred that when elected officials finally exhibit good judgment, even if it took great struggle from the people, the people should be courageous and objective to acknowledge their penitent conduct.
First Presidential travel via commercial flight in a year
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, from his unimpeachable and impeccable tracking, this is the first time in at least a year, that President Akufo-Addo has jetted out of the continent without using “a profligate and sybaritic charter at profound expense to the suffering Ghanaian taxpayer.”
“President Akufo-Addo who has defiantly flown on ultra-luxurious chartered executive jets for all his trips outside Africa since May last year deserves some credit for finally listening to an outraged public and surrendering to legitimate patriotic pressure from struggling Ghanaians reeling under an economy in tatters.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Honorable Okudzeto Ablakwa averred that for the first time in about a year, the LX-DIO is “resting” at the Paris–Le Bourget Airport when it’s most devoted passenger [President Akufo-Addo] is on official travels outside the African continent.
Mr. Ablakwa intimated that it is for this reason that the latest conduct by President Akufo-Addo is both significant and most refreshing. He expressed hope that it is not a fluke but a permanent change in conduct by the President.
“Even if he refuses to use Ghana’s Presidential Jet, this option presents a more frugal alternative and may help remind Ghanaians that this is a President who once promised to protect the public purse.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
According to The North Tongu MP, the biggest credit for the President’s change in flight must go to the overwhelming number of Ghanaians who have been unwavering and relentless in fighting and resisting “the blatant, unconscionable dissipation of our taxes just to satisfy the President’s lavish fantasies”.
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