Former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwaa-Manu has reacted to controversy surrounding President John Mahama’s recent use of a private jet.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Amankwaa-Manu said the idea for an executive plane originated during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“When you look at the number of people who travel with the President, it is usually more than 18. Former President Akufo-Addo suggested we get an executive plane, not just a presidential jet, so that when Parliament or any ministry travels with a large entourage, they could use it efficiently,” he said.
He further explained that the executive plane have a capacity of 40 people, enough to accommodate officials comfortably.
“Back then, NDC critics joked that the former President would be ‘bathing in the plane in the air.’ Today, we have the Falcon 900, a plane where you can sleep and bathe inside,” he said.
The former minister also stated that the Falcon 900 presidential jet, previously serviced in France, remains fully operational.
The use of Ibrahim Mahama’s jet has sparked public debate, with some questioning why the President would forego the state-owned presidential jet.
In response, the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Fosu, clarified that the aircraft is provided free of charge, with the state only responsible for fueling.
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