BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has provided an update on the ongoing repair works on Ghana’s presidential jet, the Dassault Falcon 900EX EASY, which has been grounded in France since March 11, 2025, due to corrosion issues.
Responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Mr. Kwadwo Damoah, the deputy Minister said the aircraft was ferried to Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France, to undergo a mandatory 24-monthly and 1600-flight-hour periodic inspection as part of international airworthiness requirements.
He explained that the inspection ensures that all main maintenance and due-list tasks are completed and that the aircraft remains fully functional and safe for operation.
According to Mr. Genfi, “The reported corrosion spots detected within the aircraft’s fuel tanks, which initially delayed its delivery, have undergone extensive repairs. These corrosion issues have since been resolved.”
However, he revealed that a new technical challenge emerged during the inspection process. “In the course of the inspection, fuel leakages were observed from the right-hand wing tank. Unfortunately, after successfully repairing the section of the wing that experienced the leakages, another challenge was encountered while reinstalling the lower panel beneath the wing,” he said.
This development, he noted, resulted in further delays in completing the inspection and repair works.
To address the issue, the Minister stated that Dassault Aviation invited the Falcon Wing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to conduct an on-site assessment and provide technical recommendations to expedite the repair and reinstallation process. “The repair from the OEM has been successfully carried out, and the right-hand wing repair has also been completed,” he confirmed.
He added that the aircraft is currently undergoing final procedures, including a leak test of the fuel tanks, a third engine ground run, painting of the wing lower panel, and anacceptance flightbefore being cleared to return to Ghana.
“The Falcon 900EX aircraft will return to Ghana after all the necessary tests and airworthiness certifications have been completed,” the Minister assured Parliament.
The Defence Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all safety and maintenance standards are strictly adhered to in the management of the presidential aircraft fleet.
