Presidential Jet is being repaired in France – Eugene Arhin responds to Ablakwa

In response to statements made about the Presidential Jet by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Director of Communications of the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, explained that the plane is in France for maintenance.

Of Wednesday, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, questioned why the presidential jet made a nonstop flight of more than six hours to France since authorities from the government have indicated the aircraft is incapable of making long flights.

A few days prior to President Akufo-trips Addo’s to the Netherlands and France, he claimed, a flight had been made to France.

“Why did government not pursue judiciousness and frugality by harmonizing both travels to save taxpayer funds, particularly in this period of IMF bailout economic crisis, especially considering that the Presidential Jet flew to the same enclave within the same week of the President’s travel?” he asked.

In contrast, Mr. Eugene Arhin strongly refuted Mr. Ablakwa’s assertions, saying that “the only people who flew the jet to France were the crew made up of pilots from the Ghana Air Force.”

“Indeed, the Presidential Jet departed Ghana on 30th August to France for major repair works to be carried out on it – repair works which are very much long overdue. The Air Force has indicated that the Presidential Jet will be out of service for a total of four (4) months, and will return to Ghana and be available for use in December. It will be recalled that in May this year, the Minister for Defence, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul, alerted Ghanaians to the fact that the Presidential Jet would be flown to France for major repair works to be undertaken on it. (https://www.myjoyonline.com/presidential-jet-to-undergo/)

As a result, Mr. Arhin questioned how Hon. Ablakwa anticipated President Akufo-Addo would return to Ghana on Saturday, September 10, from his current trip to the Netherlands and France on board the Presidential Jet, which is undergoing extensive repairs and is expected to arrive in Ghana in December.

To prevent further embarrassments to his person, Arhin encouraged the legislator to “minimize his predisposition for indulging in propaganda regarding the Presidential Jet.”

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com