Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has said he owes no one an apology for leading the noble oversight on Akufo-Addo’s presidential travels to protect taxpayers.
According to Ablakwa, he remains extremely proud of his oversight as Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
He also added that former President Akufo-Addo is also proud of the forceful arguments on his presidential travels.
In a post on X on Wednesday, August 20, Hon Ablakwa responded to his critics saying, “I remain extremely proud of my parliamentary oversight… My principled position has not changed and will not change. It has always been for God and Country”.
Ablakwa recounted former President Akufo-Addo’s own determined opposition to President Rawlings’ plans to acquire a new executive jet in parliament in 2000.
He wrote, “I am quite certain former President Akufo-Addo is also proud of the forceful arguments he made in Parliament as Ranking Member, specifically on 15th February, 2000 opposing plans by President Rawlings to purchase a new executive jet primarily on the basis that it wasn’t a priority. Ironically, his misguided hirelings and minions vilifying me conveniently conceal former President Akufo-Addo’s documented track record. (See attached the Parliamentary Hansard of February 15, 2000 containing Akufo-Addo’s revealing debate);
Former President Akufo-Addo didn’t think President Rawlings’ presidential jet acquisition should be exempt from the principles of prioritization, prudence, value for money and transparency — so what changed when he became President 17 years later? Why is Akufo-Addo’s conduct in 2000 commendable but my conduct between 2021 and 2024 condemnable?”
The Foreign Affair minister added, “I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever for leading a long-drawn-out successful patriotic campaign against former President Akufo-Addo’s unjustified, wasteful and extremely reckless ostentatious charter of ultra-luxury jets for US$18,000 an hour, particularly at a time Ghana’s presidential jet was available and in pristine condition;
My oversight mandate was strictly inspired by the national interest and the patriotic objective of protecting the public purse — consistent with former President Akufo-Addo’s own eloquent pledge;
I owe no one an apology for leading this consequential and noble oversight to protect taxpayers — I am confident the vast majority of Ghanaians are appreciative of my sacrifices — this is a legacy I will forever cherish. I did it in good conscience for my country and not for the praises of those who cannot look beyond their stomachs”.
Ablakwa, however, noted that it is comical that the very people demanding him to apologise or resign are the same people trying so hard to emulate his actions.
He further added, “. I was long vindicated when President Akufo-Addo reluctantly listened to me and the good people of Ghana who were justifiably outraged by his profligate conduct and therefore had to stop the practice of renting ultra-luxury executive jets at taxpayer expense in his final year in office;
The dishonest hirelings would want us to forget that from the second half of 2023, all the way to the end of his tenure on January 6, 2025, President Akufo-Addo abandoned chartered travels and resorted to the use of Ghana’s Presidential Jet. Indeed, I had occasion to commend President Akufo-Addo for the positive change of mind — even though many have argued that he stopped the extravagant rentals because Ghana became bankrupt and went in for a $3billion IMF bailout under stringent conditions”.
Ablakwa added that his oversight led to Akufo-Addo relying exclusively on Ghana’s Presidential Jet for over 18 months until he left office, confirming that he wasn’t wrong when he insisted that the Presidential Jet was fit for purpose.
Meanwhile, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called on all political actors to stop playing politics with the procurement of presidential planes and helicopters.
According to the Asantehene, lives are at stake, and Ghana must ensure the safety and efficiency of the president and its personnel in the security service.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made this known when the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace following last week’s tragic helicopter crash.
He described the incident as a national concern and further expressed deep sympathy to President John Mahama and the bereaved families.
The Asantehene stated, “Enough of the politicising of the purchase of presidential planes and helicopters. Human lives are at stake here. We must invest to safeguard their safety and efficiency”.
He further noted that most of the military aircraft currently in use are not in good condition.
He emphasised the need for investment in modern and reliable alternatives.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further urged all political divides to come together to address Ghana’s aviation and security logistics challenges.
Ghana’s Falcon 900 EX Presidential Jet was purchased in 2009 and arrived in the country in 2010.
It replaced a 37-year-old Foker 27 aircraft, which was regarded as a flying coffin.
The Falcon 900 EX Presidential Jet has since been grounded at the Dassault Falcon Service facility in Le Bourget, France, due to massive wear and tear issues.
In 2021, the former Akufo-Addo government sought to purchase a new and bigger jet for the Presidency, but faced public backlash over accusations of extravagant travels by Akufo-Addo.
See the post below:
THE PRESIDENTIAL JET DEBATE — MY PROUD LEGACY FOR GOD AND COUNTRY AND WHY DISHONEST SPIN AND HATE CAMPAIGNS CANNOT DEFEAT TRUTH
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) August 20, 2025
1. I remain extremely proud of my parliamentary oversight as Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, particularly on my… pic.twitter.com/nm5WFyrL9e