The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has lambasted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentarians over President John Dramani Mahama's use of the Dzata private jet for his recent travels.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Annoh-Dompreh expressed concern over President Mahama's use of his brother’s private jet for state duties instead of the official presidential jet, the Falcon.
Drawing a comparison between the leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President Mahama, the Nsawam Adoagyiri MP pointed out that the former president would not have used his brother’s private jet for state travels, underscoring the significant contrast between the two leaders.
“… President Mahama is different from Akufo-Addo and that is true. President Mahama is indeed different and that is why Akufo-Addo will not travel on a flight owned by his brother, he will not. President Mahama will gladly travel on his brother’s flight but Akufo-Addo will travel on a flight owned by the state. That is the difference and you are refusing to recognize it,” the lawmaker stated.
The New Patriotic Party MP further warned that President Mahama is setting a precedent that might cause the country international embarrassment.
Annoh-Dompreh, while acknowledging Akufo-Addo’s governance, expressed his admiration and pride for the former leader, highlighting how he adhered to established procedures by using state flights.
“… On this matter of the flight and who cares about this country, we will have a full day to discuss this matter. I am proud of Akufo-Addo for having stuck to a regime where he used a flight owned by the state. Akufo-Addo will not travel on a flight owned by his brother, no,” he added.
He also called on the NDC Majority caucus to be ashamed of themselves for endorsing what he regarded as unacceptable.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves that the president is traveling on a flight owned by his brother, you should be ashamed. You should be proud of what Akufo-Addo has done,” he said.
The lawmaker’s comments followed criticisms of President John Dramani Mahama’s use of the Dzata private jet, owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, during his travels to Senegal and The Gambia.
Explaining the controversy, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson of the Office of the President, stated that the use of the private jet was a necessary and temporary measure.
He emphasised that this decision was based on considerations of safety, security, and cost-effectiveness, especially in comparison to using state-owned aircraft.
Kwakye Ofosu further noted that the presidential plane is currently undergoing inspection by the Communications Squadron, the Air Force unit responsible for its operations.
“This situation is no different from a minister using their spouse’s car while their official vehicle is out of service,” he added, using a relatable analogy to reinforce his point.
“It’s a simple, practical solution. There’s no reason for this to be an issue for the state.”
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