Associate Professor in International Trade and Director of the Trade Growth Network, Professor Evans Akwasi Gyasi, has called for the replacement of the country’s presidential jet if it is no longer fit for purpose.
Speaking on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning show, Prof Gyasi argued that the country cannot continue to rely on an unserviceable aircraft for presidential travel.
“If we think that the falcon 900 EX (The presidential jet) is not fit for purpose, lets discard it, lets buy a new one.”
“In a long run, we can do the analysis, what will be the life span of a new presidential jet? how much are we going to safe? and as we said the over politicisation of this things are the reasons why we are where we are,” he added.
His comments follow President John Mahama’s recent decision to use a commercial flight to Japan because the state’s jet was deemed unsafe.
Last week, President John Dramani Mahama travelled to Japan on a regular Emirates Airlines flight during his recent trip, according to media reports.
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For Prof. Gyasi, acquiring a reliable aircraft is necessary to ensure the safety of the President and to protect Ghana’s international reputation.