The controversy surrounding President John Mahama’s decision to use his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet instead of a state-owned aircraft has been reignited.
In a second attempt to address the public uproar, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications has once again stepped forward to provide further clarity.
During his appearance on Asempa FM, monitored by MyNewsGH, Kwakye reiterated that the matter has been overblown. He recalled that Mahama had previously used his brother’s Dzata private jet while in opposition, without raising any concerns.
“This is not a new thing,” Kwakye emphasized. “The President has made this decision before, and it has never been a problem.”
He explained that the use of the private jet was a necessary and temporary choice based on safety, security, and financial considerations, particularly when compared to the state-owned aircraft.
Kwakye also highlighted that the presidential plane is currently undergoing an inspection by the Communications Squadron, the Air Force unit responsible for its operations.
“This situation is no different than if a minister were to use their spouse’s car while their official vehicle is out of service,” Kwakye added, reinforcing the point with a relatable analogy. “It’s a simple, practical solution. There’s no reason for this to be an issue for the state.”
Despite Kwakye’s previous comments on the matter, the controversy persists, with some critics questioning the financial prudence of using a private jet.
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