'Flying coffin' back soon

The Independent says Ghana's presidential jet, the Fokker 28, dubbed 'the flying coffin" by the last Council of State is to be sent to Holland for rehabilitation very soon.

The refurbishment is to enable President Kufuor use the jet for his travels instead of traveling by commercial flights.

The Minister of Defence, Hon. Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor said this at a durbar to climax his day's visit to military installations of the Ghana Air Force in Accra.

The issue of the so-called flying coffin dogged debate in the last two years ever since the last Council of State turned itself into an authority on aviation.

The jet, which was bought by General Kutu Acheampong is not meant for long haul. Former President Rawlings used it for long journeys and over taxed it which ran into a number of problems.

Prez Kufuor has not traveled on it since he came into power, neither has he used the controversial Gulf Stream jet leased under dubious circumstances by the old regime.