By Bubu Klinogo
The Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul says consultations are ongoing for the purchase of a new Executive Jet for Government business.
Responding to a question from North Tongu MP, and Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Mr. Nitiwul said it will be beneficial for the state to acquire a bigger jet for use by Government Officials and other State Agencies.
The use of a luxurious private jet by the President for his foreign trips has dominated the air waves in the last couple of months. The Minister of Defense in an earlier answer said the current Presidential Jet is not big enough to accommodate the full complement of the President’s delegation on foreign trips.
In September, 2021 the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin disclosed that processes are underway to purchase a new Presidential Jet.
”Is it possible to have an Aircraft that can do government business. It is not safe for us to continue to rely on the military to be using a pure military aircraft to be faring government officials. Government officials include members of Parliament, infact one of the bodies that use the military Aircraft are MPs. Consultations are part of the processes of acquiring the Aircraft so when the Communications Director …, yes we have begun the processes he is correct”.