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Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has expressed his concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s use of an $18,000-an-hour executive jet for official trips outside Ghana.
This was initially disclosed by North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to Ablakwa, President Akufo-Addo opted for the luxurious LX-DIO jet during his recent trip to the United States and London, despite the availability of more affordable commercial flights.
Ablakwa detailed the President’s itinerary, stating, “President Akufo-Addo couldn’t wait to fly his favourite US$18,000-an-hour LX-DIO from Washington, where he departed at 10:13 am and arrived at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina at 11:22 am.”
In an interview on TV3, Dr. Spio-Garbrah emphasized that if President Akufo-Addo is truly committed to addressing economic challenges, he should make a public commitment to refrain from renting such an expensive jet for official travel.
He stated, “If the president tells us that before he leaves office he will never fly again in an $18,000-an-hour plane, he hasn’t made that commitment, he should make it.”
The former minister also expressed scepticism at the government’s goal to achieve single-digit inflation by the end of the year.
According to him, cancelling ambitious projects such as the National Cathedral, would signal a move towards a more sensible economic environment.
Speaking on John Mahama’s proposal for a ’24-hour Economy,’ Dr. Spio-Garbrah highlighted its significance.
He stated, “Over 54 percent of Ghanaians believe that the 24-hour economy is the highest or the most remembered slogan or policy initiative of all the policy initiatives any political party is talking about today.”
Mahama introduced the ’24-hour Economy’ project to create jobs for all Ghanaians, emphasizing its potential to boost the local economy.
Dr. Spio-Garbrah endorsed the idea, stating that its successful implementation could contribute significantly to job creation in the country.
