The government says concerns about reliability and security are behind the current arrangement for the president’s air travel.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, March 12, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications Felix Ofosu Kwakye explained that the Ghana Air Force itself has raised reservations about using the state aircraft for presidential transport.
“The Air Force itself has said that because of security concerns and the frequent breakdown, they won’t recommend it be used for the president,” he said.
According to Ofosu Kwakye, the challenges go beyond occasional maintenance issues. He said the aircraft’s operational reliability has become a major concern.
“They have indicated that its operations have proved unreliable and that it costs too much to maintain because the slightest movement requires repairs,” he stated.
The minister explained that this situation has left the government with limited options while waiting for a more dependable arrangement.
Because of that constraint, he said the president has opted for a temporary measure until the state finalizes its plans for a suitable aircraft.
“Until then, the president says, ‘Let me use this arrangement that does not impose significant cost on the state pending the arrival of the aircraft,’” Ofosu Kwakye explained.
He stressed that the current situation should not be viewed as a long term solution.
“So it is not a permanent arrangement in any event,” he added. “It is only because the state is constrained by the non availability of a reliable aircraft.”
