Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has renewed calls for a comprehensive presidential travel policy to regulate the use of state resources and curb what he described as wasteful expenditure on chartered flights.
Speaking at the “Government Accountability Series” at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, Mr. Ablakwa stressed that the nation must take lessons from advanced democracies where strict rules govern presidential travel.
He cited the example of the United States, where even the president is required to reimburse taxpayers if official aircraft are used for private or political engagements.
Addressing criticisms over his stance against hiring expensive chartered flights when the country’s jet is available, Mr. Ablakwa reiterated that it is not prudent to spend between $18,000 and $20,000 an hour on charter services when Ghana owns a functional aircraft.
“We come into public office to protect the public purse and to be measured and frugal,” he said, recalling that former President Akufo-Addo had made a similar pledge at his inauguration.
“We must protect the public purse. When our presidential jet is in pristine condition, it is not right to be paying $18,000 to $20,000 an hour for chartered flights. These are principles I hold dear and will continue to advocate for,” he stressed.
Mr. Ablakwa rejected suggestions that his position is directed against any individual, stressing that he holds nothing personal against former President Akufo-Addo. He recalled that Mr. Akufo-Addo, when serving as ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee in the late 1990s, took similar positions during parliamentary debates over the purchase of a new presidential jet under President Jerry John Rawlings.
“These are not matters of personalities; they are matters of principle,” Mr. Ablakwa insisted, urging Ghanaians to put aside partisan interpretations and focus on safeguarding the national interest.
The minister disclosed that he has introduced a private member’s bill in Parliament aimed at formalising such a policy to ensure transparency and consistency.
Privileges for Ex-Presidents
The Foreign Affairs Minister also reaffirmed government’s commitment to extending courtesies and privileges to former presidents, vice presidents, and their spouses.
He explained that such courtesies are vital for Ghana’s international image, noting that a circular issued under his tenure directs that former leaders and their spouses must be treated with full respect whenever they travel abroad.
“Imagine a former president of Ghana arriving in another country and having to look for an Uber or taxi. That would not just be an affront to them, but an affront to the image of our country,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that every request for such courtesies has been approved without delay, citing the recent case of former Second Lady Samira Bawumia, who was accorded full diplomatic treatment at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa.
Turning to the state of the presidential jet, he confirmed that the aircraft remains in France undergoing extended servicing after “massive corrosion” was detected during routine maintenance.
The discovery, he explained, has caused a long delay in the jet’s return, a matter that has already been reported to Parliament.
Responding to questions about the travel arrangements of President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Ablakwa rejected reports that the leader was stranded in Dubai because he could not charter a jet.
He described such suggestions as propaganda, insisting that Ghana’s missions abroad are fully capable of arranging presidential travels.
“No president of Ghana will ever be stranded at an airport. Our consulates and embassies would not allow that,” he stressed.
By Ernest Kofi Adu