Security expert Dr Ishmael Norman has slammed former Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul over the latter’s criticism of President John Dramani Mahama‘s use of his brother, Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet for official duties.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 on January 23, 2025, Dr. Norman asserted that the former defence minister’s criticism of President Mahama was unjustified.
He refuted Nitiwul’s assertion that Mahama’s use of his brother’s private jet was an embarrassment to the country.
“He is just making noise because His Excellency President John Mahama is not ex-President Akufo-Addo. He is not obligated to mimic everything that Akufo-Addo did. He has his own way. He is an adult, responsible adult. He can make independent judgments. He can decide to go with a commercial jet or he can decide to go with a presidential jet when the need arises.
“I simply don’t see the rigmarole that Honourable Nitiwul is making that it disgraces Ghana that he is going on his (brothers) private jet. What is the disgrace there? He is not bragging about Ghana’s wealth. He’s going there for a meeting,” he said.
The security expert accused Dominic Nitiwul and other members of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who are criticising Mahama, of just making mountains out of a molehill.
He indicated that they just want Mahama to travel with a private jet with state resources like Akufo-Addo did so they would have a reason to lambast him.
“They would like to see President Mahama spend so much money like their president used to do so that they can get excuses to condemn him. This is a bait and I know President Mahama is so experienced, that he is not going to take it. What is the harm here? What is the harm? Honourable Nitiwul, there is no harm here.
“For me, the bragging that he’s doing is just for his own ego. Ghana is not broke. President Mahama hasn’t said Ghana is broke. President Mahama is not egotistic. And so for me, we can ignore all the things that the former Minister of Defence is saying,” he added.
The security expert also said that Mahama has good reason not to use the presidential jet. He said that the president just assumed office and must ensure that the presidential jet was in good shape before he starts using it.
Background:
Addressing the controversy surrounding President Mahama’s use of Ibrahim Mahama‘s private jet in Parliament on January 22, 2025, Nitiwul expressed strong disapproval of the government’s decision to use a private jet while the official presidential jet was available and ready for use.
According to him, the decision made by President Mahama appears to portray the country to the international community as lacking dignity and seriousness.
“Ghana is not a cheap country and we will not cheapen ourselves. Ghana has been a torchbearer in Africa and is one of the most important countries in Africa. The president who is the number one citizen must be protected by air, sea, and land. His life is very important for all of us likewise the courtesies that he must have.
“I find it very offensive that our jet is serviceable and the president would not use it. Let the president know that whilst we are going to hold him responsible for his actions and his words and your [Majority] actions, words, and deeds when you were on this side [Minority], we will not be reckless in opposition.
The Member of Parliament for Bimbilla further emphasised that the safety and security of the president are paramount to the effective running of the affairs of the state.
“We would not accuse the president of things that we believe Ghana deserves. If the private jet is available and the president does not have his commercial jet, there is absolutely nothing wrong. The cost may be a problem. If you have a very serviceable airworthy jet that can cost a minimal amount, I don’t have a problem.”
He added, “If we decide to go for a very expensive jet I may criticize you but I will not criticize the president of Ghana for travelling on a private jet just because we want to do politics, I will not do that. But in this case, the jet of the president is very serviceable. The whole of last year we spent almost eight months in Paris and we have put it in very good shape. There is no excuse for the president to be travelling around the world and say he will not use that jet. There may be something you should give us better reasons.”
BAI/EK
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