Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is set to file another urgent question in Parliament demanding full disclosure on the cost of the President’s foreign travels.
The Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs Committee has alleged President Akufo-Addo’s three recent foreign trips is costing the taxpayer a whopping ₵10 million.
Mr. Ablakwa in his latest statement is accusing the president of chartering a luxurious jet costing the taxpayer ₵3.7 million in his current trip to the United States.
In a Facebook post, the MP indicated that the President “on his current trip to the United States of America has again chartered the same ultra-luxury aircraft he used to the UK and Germany.”
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight Tuesday, the legislator said “the fundamental objection to this chartering of luxurious aircraft is that we have a functioning Presidential jet. It is in a pristine state, it has not gotten to the end of its lifespan.”
Earlier today, Mr Ablakwa replied to the claim by the Director of Communications at the Jubilee House, Eugene Arhin that the President did not travel in a luxurious aircraft in his trips to Germany and the UK.
In the post on social media, the North Tongu MP accused the President’s Spokesperson of “peddling falsehood” especially when he was unable to provide alternative facts.
“A presidential spokesman should not be desecrating what is expected to be hallowed precincts of the seat of government in this Goebbelian manner.
“I can authoritatively confirm without a scintilla of doubt or any equivocation for that matter that President Akufo-Addo on his current trip to the United States of America has again chartered the same ultra-luxury aircraft he used to the UK and Germany — the Luxembourg-based luxury jet registered LX-DIO and operated by Global Jet Luxembourg. Same Boeing 737-900ER BBJ3 with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 62515 and Line Number 5659,” his post read.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has declined to comment on the issue regarding the president’s travel as it is a matter of national security.
It, however, confirmed that Liberia President George Weah used the country’s presidential jet for the ECOWAS meeting here in Accra. This is granted based on a request made to the office of the president.
An online video has sighted shows the Falcon landing on the tarmac with the inscription ‘Republic of Ghana’ as Liberia President George Weah in white apparel steps out of the presidential jet at the Kotoka International Airport.
