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.
It will be recalled that social media, some months ago, was set on fire with Ghanaians speculating after President Mahama travelled on the private jet owned by his businessman brother, Ibrahim Mahama, to the Gambia.
John Mahama was criticised for using his brother’s Dzata jet but was defended by government officials as cost-saving and timely for the state.
Meanwhile, the Defence Minister, Dr Omane Boamah, before his passing, revealed that Ghana’s presidential jet is sick and heavily corroded.
According to the Defence Minister, the Presidential jet is in France due to serious technical faults.
Omane Boamah further revealed that the return date for the Presidential jet keeps changing.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, July 21, Dr Omane Boamah stated, “It is sad to note that for some time now, whenever the president’s jet goes for either maintenance or overhaul, the date that is scheduled for it to return to Ghana keeps changing”.
“They have extended it to two months before, and later two and a half. In this case, as we speak, the aircraft is still not in.”
“We are hoping that the date that has been given will see the Falcon in Ghana,” he said.
“The truth is that the presidential jet is heavily corroded… However, that does not in any way justify hiring or renting luxurious aircraft persistently for presidential use,” he asserted.
Also, Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has said no serious addition of helicopters and maintenance has been done for the last eight years.
In a social media post on X, Franklin Cudjoe wrote, “We are mourning, but we must demand answers! I am in touch with the highest echelons of power and the truth, my dear brothers and sisters, is that the state of Ghana’s Armed Forces was and is still alarmingly terrible.
He added, “No serious additions and maintenance in the last 8 years. My brother, Omane Boamah, consistently raised these issues at almost every Armed Forces Security Council meeting”.
Franklin Cudjoe recounted what a top Military liaison once told him that Ghana would want even if Togo were to attack the country.
“One top Military liaison” if even Togo were to attack us, we would be wanting”. And yet, we had $58m to mess around with some crap edifice. More details later! Not all mourners are genuine! I am very, very angry. You should be”, he added.