NDC MP Urges President Mahama to Buy a New Presidential Jet
- Wa West MP Peter Lanchene Toobu has urged President Mahama to purchase a new presidential jet for Ghana
- Toobu argued that frequent repairs of the current Falcon 900 aircraft are costly and undermine national security
- His comments come after Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi said the jet was undergoing maintenance
- Nabil Abubakar, a member of Action Movement for Bawumia 2028, shared his views on this in an interview with YEN.com.gh
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The Member of Parliament for Wa West on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Lanchene Toobu, has urged President John Mahama to purchase a new presidential jet.
Toobu, who is a former police officer, argued that the procurement of the new aircraft would be a more prudent and sustainable investment for Ghana’s long-term security and economic interests.
Source: Facebook
He made this suggestion after the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, appeared on the floor of Parliament to provide an update on Ghana's presidential jet, Falcon 900, which is currently undergoing repair works abroad.
According to Genfi, the presidential jet was sent to Dassault Falcon Service in Le Bourget, France, on March 11, 2025, for a mandatory 24-month and 1,600-flying-hour periodic inspection, a routine procedure to ensure the aircraft meets international airworthiness and safety standards.
Toobu slams frequent repairs to presidential jet
Reacting to the Deputy Defence Minister's statement in a Facebook post, Toobu opined that the frequent repair and maintenance of the presidential jet showed that Ghana needs a new one.
Consequently, he called on the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to prioritise the purchase of a new presidential jet for the state.
"Hon Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the dollar respects you, so buying a new presidential jet should be on the front burner. Blend safety & security with economics," he wrote.
Read the Facebook post below:
Controversy surrounds Ghana's presidential jet
The discussions surrounding the purchase of a new presidential jet intensified after the unfortunate military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians, including two ministers of state.
The presidential jet controversy mainly centres on reliability, safety, and growing concerns about the cost of presidential travel.
Former president Nana Akufo-Addo came under intense criticism for hiring a private jet for his presidential travels.
Okudzeto Ablakwa, then the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament, labelled President Akufo-Addo's use of the private jet as a waste of taxpayers' money.
Dominic Nitiwul, the then Defence Minister, explained that the president relied on the private jet for his travels because the state's aircraft was not fit for purpose.
However, Okudzeto Ablakwa dismissed the minister's explanation at the time, insisting that the aircraft was in a pristine condition.
NPP activist disagrees with Wa West MP
Reacting to this in a discussion with YEN.com.gh, Nabil Abubakar, a member of the NPP, stated that under the Akufo-Addo administration, NDC MPs, including Mr. Toobu, had strongly opposed the idea of purchasing a new presidential jet, insisting that the existing Falcon 900 was safe and sufficient for use.
He argued that it was therefore only fair that former President Mahama, should he return to office, also continue to use the same jet, as consistency in leadership decisions builds public trust.
'Under the Akufo-Addo administration, the same NDC MPs, including Hon. Toobu, strongly opposed the idea of purchasing a new presidential jet, insisting that the existing Falcon 900 was safe and sufficient for use,' he said.
'It’s therefore only fair that former President Mahama, should he return to office, also continue to use the same jet. Consistency in leadership decisions builds public trust,' he added
Source: Facebook
Ablakwa weighs in on presidential jet discussions
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa reportedly said that Ghana could buy a new presidential jet.
His comments came amid renewed concerns after the helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two ministers.
Critics claimed Ablakwa had opposed a similar move under Akufo-Addo, but he insisted he acted to protect taxpayers.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
