Dominic Nitiwul is the former Minister of Defence
Former Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has disclosed on the floor of Parliament that the official presidential jet, the Falcon, was in good condition and serviceable for use by President John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing the controversy surrounding President Mahama’s use of the Dzata private jet, owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, in Parliament on January 22, 2025, Nitiwul expressed strong disapproval of the government’s decision to use a private jet while the official presidential jet was available and ready for use.
According to him, the decision made by President Mahama appears to portray the country to the international community as lacking dignity and seriousness.
“Ghana is not a cheap country and we will not cheapen ourselves. Ghana has been a torchbearer in Africa and is one of the most important countries in Africa. The president who is the number one citizen must be protected by air, sea, and land. His life is very important for all of us likewise the courtesies that he must have.
“I find it very offensive that our jet is serviceable and the president would not use it. Let the president know that whilst we are going to hold him responsible for his actions and his words and your [Majority] actions, words, and deeds when you were on this side [Minority], we will not be reckless in opposition.
The Member of Parliament of Bimbilla further emphasised that the safety and security of the president are paramount to the effective running of the affairs of the state.
“We would not accuse the president of things that we believe Ghana deserves. If the private jet is available and the president does not have his commercial jet, there is absolutely nothing wrong. The cost may be a problem. If you have a very serviceable airworthy jet that can cost a minimal amount, I don’t have a problem.”
He added, “If we decide to go for a very expensive jet I may criticize you but I will not criticize the president of Ghana for traveling on a private jet just because we want to do politics, I will not do that. But in this case, the jet of the president is very serviceable. The whole of last year we spent almost eight months in Paris and we have put it in very good shape. There is no excuse for the president to be traveling around the world and say he will not use that jet. There may be something you should give us better reasons.”
His statement has sparked backlash from the public, with concerns raised about the lawmaker’s double standards on the issue, particularly given his strong opposition to, and justification of, former President Akufo-Addo’s use of rented private jets.
In 2021, Nitiwul described the Falcon as unfit for purpose and unsuitable for use by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
What he said in 2021
Dominic Nitiwul, responding to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s accusation that former President Akufo-Addo had spent GH¢2.8 million on his travels to South Africa and France, using a private jet for the trips, said it was unfit for purpose.
He stated that the jet was not adequately serviceable to accommodate enough passengers, noting that the president often had to travel a day in advance of official events because the jet lacked the necessary facilities for him to shower during the journey.
“This aircraft will carry a load of 11 persons minus the crew. When this aircraft is traveling to the eastern part of the USA or Asia, it will not load a crew of more than eight plus the luggage. So it depends on where it is going. Secondly, I have also said the aircraft has to do refueling stops, and also in this COVID-19 when you are traveling to multiple destinations like the president’s recent travel, the Falcon couldn’t have been taken because he would have had to do technical stops which are not desirable, and when he is travelling with more than 20 people like he has been doing for business trips that brought huge sums of money for this country, he will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the others would have to go a day ahead before the president to prepare themselves.
“In fact, the president would also have to go a day ahead because no president can shower in this aircraft. He cannot move from this aircraft straight into a meeting,” he said.
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