Okudzeto Ablakwa Defends Oversight Role in Akufo-Addo Private Jet Scandal: "I Owe No One an Apology"
- Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended his role in opposing President Akufo-Addo's use of luxury private jets
- His statement comes amid renewed calls for a new presidential jet after a tragic helicopter crash killed eight prominent Ghanaians
- Ablakwa said he has no regrets, insisting his actions were in the national interest and aimed at protecting the public purse
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has defended his parliamentary oversight role in the private jet scandal involving former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians, social and mainstream media have been awash with discussions about the need for a new presidential jet.
Source: Facebook
Many of the discussants claimed that Ghana would have purchased a new presidential jet during former President Akufo-Addo's era, save for the fiercest opposition he got from Mr Ablakwa and some members of the National Democratic Congress.
Consequently, many have called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to either apologise to the former president or resign from his job.
However, responding to this, Mr Ablakwa said he remained extremely proud of his parliamentary oversight as the former Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"My oversight mandate was strictly inspired by the national interest and the patriotic objective of protecting the public purse — consistent with former President Akufo-Addo’s own eloquent pledge,” he wrote.
"I owe no one an apology for leading this consequential and noble oversight to protect taxpayers. I am confident the vast majority of Ghanaians are appreciative of my sacrifices; this is a legacy I will forever cherish. I did it in good conscience for my country and not for the praises of those who cannot look beyond their stomachs," he added.
Ablakwa says his oversight saved Ghana millions
Mr Ablakwa stated that he has no regrets for leading the campaign against Akufo-Addo's private jet charter, which cost taxpayers over $18,000 per hour.
"Let me emphasise for the avoidance of doubt, I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever for leading a long-drawn-out successful patriotic campaign against former President Akufo-Addo’s unjustified, wasteful and extremely reckless ostentatious charter of ultra-luxury jets for US$18,000 an hour, particularly at a time Ghana’s presidential jet was available and in pristine condition,” he added.
The North Tongu MP noted that he was vindicated when Akufo-Addo stopped renting luxury jets in his final year in office and relied exclusively on Ghana's Presidential Jet for over 18 months until the end of his tenure.
"President Akufo-Addo relied exclusively on Ghana’s Presidential Jet for over 18 months until he left office, which confirms that I wasn’t wrong when I insisted that the Presidential Jet, which was purchased by President Kufuor in 2008 for US$37.37 million and used by the previous Mills and Mahama presidencies, was fit for purpose,” he added.
He pointed out that Akufo-Addo, as Ranking Member of Parliament in 2000, also opposed plans by President Rawlings to purchase a new executive jet, citing prioritisation, prudence, value for money, and transparency.
Read Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's full statement here:
Source: Facebook
Diana Asamoah asks Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Diana Asamoah shared her opinions about the rumours that John Mahama had used a private jet for his recent international trip.
The musician, in reacting to the rumours, referenced Okudzeto Ablakwa's past decision to resign should the president use a private jet for his trips abroad.
Her post garnered significant traction among netizens, who were divided on the trending topic of the usage and maintenance of aircraft in Ghana.
Source: YEN.com.gh
