For many Ghanaian schoolchildren in the 1990s, national holidays sometimes came with an unforgettable surprise involving a flight in an aircraft piloted by the President himself.

Former president Jerry John Rawlings, fondly called “Papa J,” is reported to have occasionally turned these special holidays into thrilling aviation adventures by personally flying schoolchildren during his time in office.

Photos from these remarkable moments have recently resurfaced on social media, with one of the notable faces in the images being Joseph Bentil Ani, widely known in showbiz as Uncle Chester.

Chester was once the lively host of the children’s reality show "Time With Chester."

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JJ Rawlings, who was a trained pilot and former Flight Lieutenant in the Ghana Air Force, was no stranger to the cockpit. What made the experience extraordinary, however, was when the President reportedly invited young students to join him in the skies.

On those memorable days, excited schoolchildren, many flying for the first time, boarded the Ghana Air Force aircraft with a mixture of nerves and excitement, knowing that the man at the controls was the President of Ghana.

For the students, it was more than just a ride in the air. It was an opportunity to see aviation up close, learn about aircraft operations, and interact with a national leader in a way few could ever imagine.

The late former president Jerry John Rawlings who passed way on Thursday, November 12, 2020, was widely known for his close connection with ordinary citizens, especially young people.

See the post and images below: [Image Credit @TheGhanaNation via X]

Papa J personally flew school children around on such holidays during his tenure https://t.co/L6Dwj7V25C pic.twitter.com/m9XkLBXKAi

— Ghana Facts (@TheGhanaNation) March 6, 2026