Ghana’s Parliament has become the stage for fiery debates over the choices of presidential travel by past and current leaders.
Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul argued that President Akufo-Addo predominantly used commercial flights for his international trips, pushing back against claims that he frequently chartered private jets for domestic travels.
In contrast, discussions highlighted President John Mahama’s use of his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet, raising questions about ethics, cost, and transparency.
Nitiwul emphasized that the presidential jet, GH 001, is functional and could accommodate most travel needs, sparking debate about why leaders would opt for alternative arrangements.
Proponents of private or commercial options argue for convenience, while critics stress that bypassing the state-owned jet undermines public confidence and raises accountability concerns.
This discourse has broader implications for public perception of government expenditure and leadership priorities.
Some MPs called for clear policies regulating presidential travel to ensure transparency and eliminate political disputes.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians on social media continue to debate whether the choices reflect frugality or privilege.
The ongoing controversy underscores the need for a unified approach to balancing national pride and pragmatism in presidential travel decisions.
Akufo-Addo will not travel on a flight owned by his brother; you should be ashamed that President Mahama travels on a flight owned by his brother. – Frank Annoh-Dompreh#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/MjGzNvl44X
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) January 22, 2025
Source: OccupyGh.com
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