First Ghanaian to own & fly private Jet… IBRAHIM BEATS KENNEDY AGYAPONG

The hopes of under pressure New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong of becoming the first Ghanaian to ever own and fly a private jet in the country has been dashed.

This follows the acquisition of a Bombardier challenger 600 high-performance private jet by young business magnate and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineers and Planners Company Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama who also is a younger brother to the Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.

The cost of the recently delivered plane, a versatile 15 seater Jet of the Bombardier aircrafts stock was not immediately known, however information picked by The Al-Hajj indicates that it was part of a trade deal between the astute CEO of Engineers and Planners and an American business partner.

The purchase of the15 seater Bombardier Jet makes the CEO of Engineers and Planners to set a record as the first indigenous Ghanaian to own and fly a private jet, although some Ghanaians like the Alhaji Asuma Bandas are known to own and operate solely commercial aircrafts.

A source close to the young, enterprising and energetic entrepreneur, Ibrahim Mahama told this paper that the plane though purchased for private use, is commercially available for rental by mining companies, oil service companies and other corporate institutions when not in use by Engineers and Planners.

The acquisition of the aircraft, according to our source became necessary following the expansion in the business operations of Ibrahim's Company, Engineers and Planners to other countries in the West and Central Africa regions and also in view of some challenges involved in beating deadlines to meetings and other engagements.

Engineers and Planners Company Ltd, a wholly Ghanaian owned company with over 15 years experience and specialized in the management and hiring of heavy duty plants, equipment and machinery, haulage, oil and gas, land reclamation and restoration, dam construction and mining is now operating in four countries: Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leon and Congo Brazzaville and hope to expand further to other countries including the Gulf region.

The company is also in final discussions with major mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Guinea to provide similar services.

Additionally, Engineers and Planners hold a majority stake in a major truck dealership that covers the entire West African sub-region.

In Sierra Leon and Liberia, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and his company work in partnership with Mr. Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, an Indian steel magnate, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaking company.

One of the richest people in the world and presently the 6th richest, Lakshmi Niwas Mittal owns 41 percent of Arcelor Mittal and holds a 34- percent stake in the English side, Queens Park Rangers F.C. football.

Engineers and Planners have also been contracted by Messrs Arcelor Mittal to provide mining services at their iron ore mining site at Yekepa in Northern Liberia. This project includes civil engineering works for installation of an iron ore processing plant and construction of a tailings Dam. A statement by the company disclosed.

When loud-mouth Assin North New Patriotic Party MP, Kennedy Agyapong, currently facing treason and genocide trial, bought for himself a nearly 400, 000 pounds sterling Rolls Royce on his 50 birthday celebrations last year, he promised himself to be the first Ghanaian to procure a private jet at 55.

But now he is being beaten to it by the affable and young entrepreneur, Ibrahim Mahama.