What stops VEEP from using a first-class rather than GH¢2m Vista jet? – Assafuah quizzes

Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Hon Vincent Ekow Assafuah, raised questions about Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman's travel choices. He asked why she did not use a first-class or business ticket for her return to Ghana.

Assafuah accused the presidency of causing financial loss by chartering a private jet from London to Accra. He pointed out that Ghanaians are told there isn't enough money for fuel in the energy sector. Yet, the government is spending on a private jet.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Assafuah said, “If the presidential jet takes six hours from London to Ghana, why didn’t the vice president fly first-class? A first-class ticket costs about 100,000 cedis. A business class ticket costs around 50,000 to 60,000 cedis.”

He noted that chartering a private jet cost the state over GH¢2 million. “The government could have saved about 1.9 million cedis,” he added.

Assafuah highlighted frequent power outages in Spintex and Kumasi. He mentioned that they are told there isn’t enough money for fuel despite opportunities to save funds. He called for the Defence Minister to explain whether the presidential jet has been grounded and if President Akufo-Addo made that decision.

He also questioned how much it costs to charter the Vista jet from London to Ghana.

In response, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah blamed the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration for mismanaging the presidential jet. He claimed this led to significant damage, including corrosion of its fuel tank.

Boamah stated on Facebook that Akufo-Addo’s administration ran down the presidential jet. He explained that it is currently undergoing maintenance abroad and may be usable after three months of repairs.

Watch the video below:

MP Vincent Assafuah questions why Vice President Agyeman chartered an expensive private jet instead of flying commercially.
Video Credit: ChannelOne TV