"Government can dispose of President Jet ....

"...without legal wrangling" - J.H. Mensah

The Leader of Government Business Leader, J.H. Mensah has stated that the government will be able to dispose of the controversial Gulstream III presidential jet purchased during the NDC administration without any legal wrangling.

He said the government will definitely get out of that agreement and have it settled amicably because it has obtained enough documentation to prepare the grounds for the sale of the jet. According to Hon. Mensah, also MP for Sunyani East, the government pays about $1.5 million every six months for a jet that is hardly used and carries only 14 passengers. Mr. Mensah who is also the Majority Leader in Parliament said efforts would be made to ensure that the President travels in a cost effective but safe manner.

In February this year, President John Kufuor directed that the much talked about Executive Jet be disposed of as quickly as possible. The purchase of the Presidential Gulf Stream Jet, which was without parliamentary approval, has been the subject for debate both in and out of Parliament.

The Presidential Spokesperson, Ms Elizabeth Ohene said the President intends to use scheduled commercial flight as much as possible and chartered flights as and when necessary in the conduct of official business.

The questions that the then minority group in Parliament have put up regards the secrecy surrounding the documents for the purchase agreement, the source of the aircraft and how the purchase or the lease would be settled.