The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has called on the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to apologise to Ghanaians over claims it made while in opposition about the condition of the presidential Dassault Falcon 900 aircraft.
According to him, the NDC had previously maintained that the aircraft was in pristine condition but is now suggesting that it is not fit for purpose.
His comments follow growing controversy surrounding the continued use of a private jet owned by the brother of President John Dramani Mahama for some official travels, a development that has raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest.
The debate intensified after the Executive Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, announced that Ghana is expected to receive additional aircraft for the presidential fleet by November 2026, including one dedicated to the President’s 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 to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of the President.
However, speaking in an interview with the media, Mr Darko, who also serves as lead counsel for the Minority Caucus in Parliament, said the caucus would only support government efforts to resolve the presidential aviation challenge if the NDC offers an unqualified apology for its earlier criticisms during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa 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.
“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.
“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.
