Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has stated that the government has not yet made a decision on whether to acquire a new presidential jet.

Speaking on ‘Prime Insight’ on Joy Prime on Saturday, August 23, 2025, she explained that discussions on the matter are still ongoing.

“As government, we are taking all the comments that are coming around this particular issue, to buy or not to buy a private jet. This is not the time to make any statement on that issue,” she indicated.

Muslim clarified that the aircraft often referred to as the ‘Presidential Jet’ is, in fact, a Ghana Armed Forces plane currently undergoing maintenance in France.

The delay, she said, has occasionally compelled the President to rely on alternative arrangements, including the use of his brother’s jet.

Ghana's presidential jet stuck in France amid major faults, corrosion discovered - Report

She emphasised that debates over acquiring aircraft for presidential use are not new.

Citing the late President John Atta Mills’ administration, she recalled that the government at the time opted for a smaller jet, despite a previous administration having already ordered two.

According to her, the NDC’s position on the matter has always centred on safety and comfort, rather than luxury.

Commenting on past controversies, Muslim said the uproar over presidential travel was linked to Ghana’s economic challenges under the previous administration.

She pointed to the return to the IMF in 2022 and inflation hitting 54% as examples of the public frustration, especially at a time when citizens were urged to tighten their belts while the President used luxury aircraft.

She contrasted that with the current administration’s approach, insisting that President Mahama has been prudent in his foreign travels, often turning down invitations and travelling less frequently.

“If President Mahama needs to travel with a private jet, it will happen,” she said, adding that any such decision would be driven by prudence rather than luxury.

Boateng-Agyemang warns President Mahama over ignoring Omane's presidential jet advice

MRA/EB

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: