Akufo-Addo did not rent private jet to travel around the country — Nitiwul

Dominic Nitiwul, former Defence Minister, has debunked rumours that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was travelling within the country on a private jet.

He clarified that the President indeed rented private jets for official visits outside the country but never did so within the country.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, January 22, Mr. Nitiwul said, “I want to correct that President Akufo-Addo has not rented any private jets to travel within the country, West Africa, yes. Outside West Africa, yes, but in the country, no, that is also not correct.”

His comments follow public criticism of President Mahama’s decision to use his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet for official trips to Senegal and The Gambia.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu responded to the criticism by stating that the Communications Squadron, the Air Force unit in charge of operating the official Presidential Aircraft, is now reviewing it.

He told the public that Ibrahim Mahama's private jet was used at no cost to the state and that the aircraft would be used after the review of its current state.

On that, Mr. Nitiwul countered that the Presidential Aircraft should be available for President Mahama's official flights as it was actively used in the last months of previous President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration.

“Ever since we took that aircraft to France for proper servicing, President Akufo-Addo has been using it. In fact, even two days before he handed over, he used that aircraft,” Mr. Nitiwul stated.

“The President has used that aircraft for the last eight months. So it is not as if we were not using that aircraft, and now we want President Mahama to use it,” the former Defence Minister added.