Accusations of misuse and neglect surrounding Ghana’s presidential jet dominated proceedings in Parliament today, as former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul faced a barrage of questions.
The intense scrutiny centered on claims that former President Akufo-Addo’s alleged preference for private jets on international trips was due to the unserviceable state of the national aircraft, resulting in significant financial burdens for the country.
Mr. Nitiwul, visibly under pressure, vehemently denied the allegations. He insisted that the presidential jet was in good working condition and was indeed utilized by Akufo-Addo for his international travel.
“The presidential jet was not grounded,” Nitiwul stated, emphasizing that it was functional and available for the former president’s use. He directly contradicted suggestions that the plane was damaged or in need of extensive repairs, which would have necessitated the hiring of private jets at considerable expense.
The former minister did acknowledge that private jet rentals had occurred in past administrations, including during the tenure of John Dramani Mahama, but stressed these were only for “emergency cases.” He stated that such practices were standard across successive governments and not unique to the Akufo-Addo era.
In a move designed to add weight to his assertion, Nitiwul challenged former President Mahama to publicly verify his claims. “Ask President John Dramani Mahama to confirm whether I am lying or not,” he declared, suggesting Mahama’s own experience would corroborate his side of the story. He further stated that Akufo-Addo used the jet two days before exiting office.
Despite Nitiwul’s firm denials, the parliamentary members remained skeptical, voicing suspicions of a “foul deal” regarding Akufo-Addo’s repeated preference for private air travel. They argued that the consistent practice of hiring private jets, if the national aircraft was indeed serviceable, was incurring unnecessary debt to the nation’s detriment.
The intense debate ended with the matter being adjourned due to the Parliament’s schedule. The issue of the presidential jet’s condition continues to hang heavy, leaving many unanswered questions about its use, maintenance, and the financial implications of the choices made regarding presidential travel
Attached picture: Former Defence Minister Mr Dominic Nitiwul and presidential jet in question. let the news fly by sharing it.
