Otumfuo warns against politicising purchase of jets and military helicopters
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged Ghana’s political leaders to put aside partisan bickering when it comes to acquiring presidential jets and military helicopters, stressing that safety and operational efficiency must come first.
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace during a visit by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene on Wednesday (13 August), the monarch said lives were at risk if such crucial assets were neglected.
“Enough of the politicisation of the purchase of presidential planes and helicopters. Human lives are at stake here. We must invest to safeguard their safety and efficiency,” Otumfuo was quoted by opemsuo.com as saying.
The Asantehene noted that many of the country’s military aircraft were no longer in optimal condition and called for urgent investment in modern replacements.
His comments come just a week after eight people, including two cabinet ministers, died in a Ghana Air Force helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region.
Political dispute
The issue of Ghana’s presidential aircraft has long been a source of political dispute.
Under the previous administration, President Nana Akufo-Addo faced criticism for chartering luxury jets rather than using the Falcon 900 Ex-Easy presidential jet.
Government officials at the time claimed the aircraft was unsuitable for long-haul journeys due to mechanical faults – a claim rejected by the then-opposition.
Fresh controversy
Four years later, the controversy has resurfaced.
President John Mahama recently faced scrutiny for using his brother’s private jet for a trip to a neighbouring country.
The late Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah defended the move, writing on Facebook that the presidential jet was “unfit for use presently” and undergoing maintenance abroad.
“Akufo-Addo’s administration ran down the Presidential jet. Among others, its fuel tank is even corroded… The Presidential jet has been in the ‘hospital’ abroad for maintenance, repair and overhaul and may be put in a fairly usable state after three months of ‘therapy’,” Dr Boamah wrote.
Rebuttal
However, former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul dismissed this, insisting the aircraft remained serviceable.
“The presidential jet is in good order. In fact, former President Nana Akufo-Addo used this presidential jet… to Takoradi… and he used this jet again to Kumasi,” Nitiwul told JoyNews.
The Asantehene’s intervention appears aimed at shifting the debate from political point-scoring to national safety priorities.
