The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has called on the government and Parliament to take immediate steps to procure a modern state aircraft for presidential travels, stressing that the safety and dignity of the presidency must not be compromised.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Nana Opoku, the group expressed concern over what it described as the “inconveniences and risks” the President of the Republic recently faced during official travels abroad.

According to TAGG, Ghana, as a resource-rich nation, must rise above “pettiness” and confront the matter with urgency.

The group emphasised that securing a reliable, state-of-the-art aircraft for the President was not a matter of luxury or politics, but a critical issue of national security and responsibility.

“We cannot afford another tragedy or national calamity before action is taken. The Presidency is an institution that must be safeguarded at all costs. Protecting the President is equivalent to protecting the sovereignty and future of Ghana,” the statement read.

TAGG also drew parallels between the struggles of Ghanaian traders who travel abroad and the current inconveniences faced by the President, arguing that no leader of a sovereign state should be subjected to such challenges.

While acknowledging Ghana’s current economic difficulties, the advocacy group urged the government to take a bold decision to secure a durable and modern aircraft, cautioning against the purchase of outdated or substandard equipment that could endanger lives.

The group further outlined three key demands:

The safety of the President must remain non-negotiable.

Ghana’s dignity must be upheld on the international stage.

The aircraft must serve as a national asset and not a partisan tool.