Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has requested that President Akufo-Addo keeps his hands off Mexico’s Presidential jet.
Mr Ablakwa revealed that his reason for requesting the President to keep his hands off the Mexican jet has to do with Mexcian President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decision to put up for sale the ultra-luxury Presidential Jet which has all the features “President Akufo-Addo craves in an aircraft”.
Considering this, he suggested that President AMLO’s reduction of the selling price of the jet, which comes equipped with a private presidential suite, master bedroom, marble-lined showers, banquet dining facilities and an exclusive cinema room, to a “tempting” US$130million, falls within the interest of Ghana’s President which is his “real fear”.
Owing to this, Mr Ablakwa has called on Ghanaians, who “bear the brunt financially” for President Akufo-Addo’s “acquired flying taste in vulgar opulence” to make some “pre-emptive” demands. This, he noted, is evident when it comes to matters regarding the President’s need to acquire a presidential jet.
“… Mexico is herein advised not to entertain any bid from Ghana — particularly, aside having our own Presidential Jet in pristine condition, albeit not of Akufo-Addo’s oligarchic standards, our mismanaged economy makes us unlikely candidates to meet their financial terms. Hands off Mexico’s Presidential Jet!”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Among the demands the North Tongu entreated Ghanaians to make, is their decisiveness to“strongly” caution President Akufo-Addo not to entertain any thought of approaching the Mexicans to buy their Presidential Jet considering the fact that his government had earlier announced and defended plans to buy a new so-called “fit for purpose” presidential jet. Mr Ablakwa indicated that this has become more crucial recognizing that the “Mexican configuration” is similar to what the President has become “addicted” to in his infamous “sky bath” charters.
Also, he opined that Parliament must serve notice that any such “Ghana-Mexico Presidential Jet Purchase Agreement will not be ratified”.
Mexican President’s refusal to fly luxurious aircraft
Contained in a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa disclosed that Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office in December 2018, still refuses to fly the US$218million Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet his predecessor bought, after criticizing the former President of engaging in “obscene ostentation in the abundance of poverty”. He emphasized that even though President AMLO has announced an unprecedented rental package for Mexicans intending to use the jet bought with their taxes in 2012 for weddings and parties, he noted the President has indicated the proceeds will be used to pay for interim maintenance of the jet.
The North Tongu legislator stated that President AMLO disclosed to the media that Mexico is still open to sell the “luxurious monster” as he insists on flying commercial which is consistent with his policies of austerity and modest leadership. This, Mr Ablakwa revealed, is a profound example in “frugal leadership” many aviation experts do not take lightly, especially for a Mexican Presidential Jet described by Mashable as the world’s most modern, luxurious and efficient presidential carrier.
It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo has come under heavy criticism over decision made to purchase a new presidential jet. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who doubles as the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, last year expressed that the minority will not endorse the purchase of a new presidential aircraft. He emphasized that the minority will reject the proposal when it’s brought before parliament and resist any attempts by government to purchase a bigger presidential jet for the country.
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