Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has shared a candid and thoughtful opinion on the Presidential Jet Debate, citing the previous government’s approach and priorities on this important national issue, particularly under former President Akufo-Addo.
The statement reads:
1. I remain extremely proud of my parliamentary oversight as Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, particularly in my legislative scrutiny of presidential travels. My principled position has not changed and will not change. It has always been for God and Country.
2. I am quite certain former President Akufo-Addo is also proud of the forceful arguments he made in Parliament as Ranking Member, specifically on 15th February 2000, opposing plans by President Rawlings to purchase a new executive jet, primarily on the basis that it was not a priority. Ironically, his misguided hirelings and minions vilifying me conveniently conceal former President Akufo-Addo’s documented track record. (See attached the Parliamentary Hansard of February 15, 2000 containing Akufo-Addo’s revealing debate).
3. Former President Akufo-Addo did not believe President Rawlings’ presidential jet acquisition should be exempt from the principles of prioritization, prudence, value for money, and transparency. So, what changed when he became President 17 years later? Why was his conduct in 2000 commendable, but mine between 2021 and 2024 condemnable?
4. Let me emphasize, for the avoidance of doubt, that I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever for leading a long-drawn-out, successful, patriotic campaign against former President Akufo-Addo’s unjustified, wasteful, and extremely reckless chartering of ultra-luxury jets for US$18,000 an hour – particularly at a time Ghana’s presidential jet was available and in pristine condition.
5. My oversight mandate was strictly inspired by the national interest and the patriotic objective of protecting the public purse – consistent with former President Akufo-Addo’s own eloquent pledge.
6. I owe no one an apology for leading this consequential and noble oversight to protect taxpayers. I am confident the vast majority of Ghanaians appreciate my sacrifices. This is a legacy I will forever cherish. I did it in good conscience for my country, not for the praises of those who cannot look beyond their stomachs.
7. It is truly comical that the very people demanding that I apologize or resign are the same ones now trying so hard to emulate my actions. The overwhelming verdict by Ghanaians, however, is that the “wannabes” have been spectacularly disastrous. In all humility, I am inundated with appeals from well-meaning Ghanaians urging me to organize a workshop for the disgraced MPs. That is what happens when you are not motivated by truth, patriotism, diligence, principle, sincerity, and the national interest.
8. I was long vindicated when President Akufo-Addo reluctantly listened to me and the good people of Ghana, who were justifiably outraged by his profligate conduct, and stopped renting ultra-luxury executive jets at taxpayer expense in his final year in office.
9. The dishonest hirelings would want us to forget that from the second half of 2023 until the end of his tenure on January 6, 2025, President Akufo-Addo abandoned chartered travels and resorted to the use of Ghana’s Presidential Jet. Indeed, I had occasion to commend him for this positive change of mind – even though many argue he stopped the extravagant rentals because Ghana became bankrupt and sought a US$3 billion IMF bailout under stringent conditions. (See my commendation of President Akufo-Addo attached).
10. That President Akufo-Addo relied exclusively on Ghana’s Presidential Jet for over 18 months until leaving office confirms that I was right in insisting the jet, purchased by President Kufuor in 2008 for US$37 million and used by Presidents Mills and Mahama, was fit for purpose.
11. This is why, during the period President Akufo-Addo refused to use the presidential jet, other African presidents were happy to make good use of it.
12. It should also be recalled that when I filed parliamentary questions on the status of Ghana’s Presidential Jet in June 2021, both the then Ministers of Defence and National Security (Hon. Dominic Nitiwul and Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah) confirmed that the jet was in excellent condition and airworthy. The only bizarre concern raised by the Defence Minister, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul, was about how President Akufo-Addo could not shower on the jet.
13. The ridiculous attempts to equalize through unscrupulous falsehoods in a futile effort to whitewash President Akufo-Addo – who ought to have remembered his fierce criticism of President Rawlings – are insulting and have already failed. The intelligence of Ghanaians must not be underestimated.
14. If the Akufo-Addo administration had listened to some of us much earlier on matters such as these profligate chartered jet travels, which cost taxpayers over GHS120 million, the US$97 million wasted on the cathedral pit, inflated single-sourced contracts, and numerous state capture scandals, Ghana could have avoided bankruptcy and the painful financial haircuts we endured.
15. It is instructive – and embarrassing – to note that none of the leaders of the countries Ghana owes, and from whom we are begging for debt restructuring after the Akufo-Addo administration’s default, abandon their presidential jets for luxury charters. Most of these countries actually have presidential travel policies that demand taxpayers be reimbursed if their presidents use the jet for non-official or campaign purposes.
16. And by the way, can someone inform the cacophonous, illogical propagandists that there is a world of difference between jets and helicopters?
17. President Mahama’s government will continue to reset Ghana with truth, modesty, frugality, and deep respect for the Ghanaian people.
For God and Country …
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