NPP MP Urges NDC to Apologise Over Past Comments on Presidential Jet
- John Darko, MP for Suame, has called on the NDC to apologise over past comments criticising the presidential jet during Akufo-Addo’s administration
- He argued that the party misled Ghanaians about the jet’s condition and should admit it was unfit for purpose
- The call comes amid discussions over President John Mahama’s use of a private jet and Ghana’s expected acquisition of a new presidential aircraft by November 2026
- Isaac Aboagye, a youth activist, shared his views in an interview with YEN.com.gh
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John Darko, the Member of Parliament for Suame in the Ashanti Region, has urged the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to apologise over its past comments regarding the condition of the presidential jet, Falcon 900, while in opposition.
According to the Suame MP, the NDC, which insisted that the presidential jet was in pristine condition, is now suggesting that it is not fit for purpose.
Source: UGC
“Let them come out and tell the people of Ghana that look, we lied to you, and that at the time Akufo-Addo was using the private jet, our presidential jet was so bad that he wouldn’t have used it. If they admit that they were wrong, then of course we are in this country together,” he said.
John Darko made this comment in reaction to the raging controversy about President John Mahama's continued use of his brother's private jet for international travels.
Ghana expected to receive new presidential jet
The issue gained further attention after the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, disclosed in an opinion piece published in the Daily Graphic that Ghana is expecting an additional aircraft for the presidential fleet by November 2026, including one dedicated to the president's overseas travels.
Dr Mahama explained that once the new aircraft is delivered, the country will again be able to rely fully on its own state assets for the safe and efficient transportation of the President.
However, in a report sighted on Citinewsroom, John Darko, who also serves as lead counsel for the Minority in Parliament, stated that the caucus would only support government efforts to address the presidential aviation challenge if the NDC offers an unqualified apology for its earlier criticisms during the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
“They need to be frank with the people of Ghana that they were wrong and that they insulted Akufo-Addo for nothing. In fact, listening to the Chairman of their party at the time, he said that Akufo-Addo is bathing in the plane, so people shouldn’t drink rainwater because they might be drinking Akufo-Addo’s urine," he stated.
“This is how low they brought the argument. Akufo-Addo wanted the flashiest private jet, that was why he was not using our presidential jet," he added.
Presidential jet debate needs bipartisan solution
Reacting in an interview with YEN.com.gh, Isaac Aboagye, a youth activist, urged politicians to stop politicising the presidential jet issue.
“The NDC had previously accused the Akufo-Addo administration of reckless spending on private jets, claiming the presidential jet was in pristine condition. It is therefore only natural that members of the NPP raise issues of hypocrisy regarding the government’s plans to acquire a new presidential jet by the end of November 2026,” he said.
“But I believe Ghanaians have had enough of the politicisation of this issue. It is now time for the two parties, particularly their representatives in Parliament, to work together towards a lasting solution concerning presidential travel arrangements,” he added.
Source: UGC
Mahama to buy new presidential jet
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that Wa West MP Peter Lanchene Toobu had 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.
Source: YEN.com.gh
