The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has debunked claims the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s unbridled proclivity for chartering ‘luxurious’ jets for his foreign trips, is raising concerns among the air force.
GAF, in a statement issued today and signed by Commander Andy La-Anyane, Acting Director Public Relations, stated "unequivocally that this allegation is untrue and without basis”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the morale of personnel, not only in the Ghana Air Force, as is being alleged, but the entire Ghana Armed Forces, has never been at a very higher level”.
Akufo-Addo Engaged In Arabian-King-style Cruises
The NDC MP, has in recent times focused his lenses on the President's foreign travels, and believes the latter is wasting taxpayers money on his Arabian-King style cruise instead of using the existing presidential jet.
According to him, when President Akufo-Addo was travelling to the UK and Germany for the global education summit and G20 Compact with Africa summits respectively, he used ultra-luxury aircraft, LX-DIO Boeing operated by Global Jet Luxembourg.
He said this same aircraft was used by the President to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in the United States.
Disquiet Within Air Force?
Hon Ablakwa further alleged that this decision by the Executive to sideline the "celebrated Air Force professionals with unquestionable loyalty" for the services of luxurious jets operated by foreigners has caused consternation among the air force.
“Ghanaians deserve and demand to know from you why you prefer alien luxury aircrafts operated by foreign crews when our celebrated Air Force professionals with unquestionable loyalty trained at significant expense to the taxpayer guarantee better security for our presidents — an action creating considerable disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force,” he said in a recent open letter to the president.
He also asserted that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s three recent foreign trips cost the taxpayer GH¢10 million.
Treat It With Contempt
But the GAF, in a strongly-worded statement, dispel any allegations of agitation among its ranks, and further cautioned against the tendency to drag the military into issues of partisan politics by some Ghanaians, including politicians.
"Ghana Armed Forces wishes to advise the general public to treat the allegations of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with the contempt it deserves.
"Additionally, we wish to entreat all Ghanaians, including politicians, not to drag the Ghana Armed Forces into partisan politics. Our mandate as captured in the 1992 constitution is to defend the territorial integrity of Ghana and we should be allowed to focus on our mandate," portions of the statement read.
Read the army’s full statement below:
RE: THERE IS DISQUIET WITHIN THE RANKS OF THE GHANA AIR FORCE – ABLAKWA ALLEGES
The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to a disturbing story carried on Ghanaweb on Tuesday 28 September 2021 which was sourced from the Facebook timeline of Honourable Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleging “there is some form of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s preference for luxurious aircraft operated by a foreign crew”.
We wish to state unequivocally that this allegation is untrue and without basis.
For the avoidance of doubt, the morale of personnel, not only in the Ghana Air Force, as is being alleged, but the entire Ghana Armed Forces, has never been at a very higher level.
Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces appreciate the numerous additions that the government has made for the smooth running of operations, including accommodation for troops and their families, vehicles to enhance mobility, review of salaries amongst many others.
Troops also appreciate the efforts being made by the government in retooling the Force with the acquisition of a number of platforms including warships for the Ghana Navy, Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Ghana Army, various aircraft including a strategic lift for VIPs for use by the Ghana Air Force and many others.
It is also important to state that the fighter squadron of the Ghana Air Force is currently being retooled by the government to augment the professional posture of the Ghana Air Force.
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to advise the general public to treat the allegations of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with the contempt it deserves.
Additionally, we wish to entreat all Ghanaians, including politicians, not to drag the Ghana Armed Forces into partisan politics. Our mandate as captured in the 1992 constitution is to defend the territorial integrity of Ghana and we should be allowed to focus on our mandate.
Finally, we wish to assure the general public once again that the morale of troops is very high.
SIGNED
ANDY LA-ANYANE
Commander
Acting Director Public Relations
Source: Peacefmonline.com/GHANA
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Ghana Armed forces, ***barred word*** entity. anyway what do we expect from you? still defending your salaries. God is watching!!! we will all render accounts one day. A fearful day indeed.
This notorious Ablakwa is a crook. He is noted for corruption and lies. Remember his role in the Isofoton judgement debt saga. He had some ¢20,000 missing mysteriously from his car booth. His ulterior motive is to fan flames and peddle lies in this country. Such is the caliber of persons paraded by the NDC to hopefully govern this nation come 2024. They will still live in their dreamland. To hell with him and his cohorts.
That Okudjeto guy is becoming unbecoming in Ghana. As an MP is it right to speculate about the Military? This is sheer agitation for Military take-over. You sit in parliament, our pillar and symbol of democracy but when you get out of the house all your pronouncements undermine democratic governance. Enemies of progress!
This dishonorable MP Ablakwa whose first job after school was a deputy minister for information has been lying right from day one when he lied that government of Atta Mills in 6 months of being in power had created 1.3 million jobs, which turned out to be false. He is also remembered as the judgement debt facilitator and a double salary MP. In any serious country, he and the other double salary MPs would have been out of parliament. And let Ablakwa get this clear that he is a traitor and not worthy of being the people’s representative. Which country and where will an MP worth his salt put out the flying details, the plane used and it’s route by your president to the whole world especially in this sophiscated era where terrorists are looking for every opportunity to take advantage of a situation? This Dishonorable MP Ablakwa should bow down his head in shame.
Rubbish statement.
I guess you can see how nobody comments on your stories. Looks like you don't think it through or you live outside of Ghana. They are craap!