Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defence, has said Ghana’s presidential jet is still grounded in France because it is having technical difficulties.
He says the jet’s fuel tanks and engine components are heavily corroded. The Minister had earlier reported the detailed problems with the jet to Parliament, sparking debate over whether the state should acquire a new one for the president or otherwise.
Some argue the timing and cost will not be economically prudent for the state, but others believe a modern replacement is necessary to save the state from rental costs like those incurred during Akufo-Addo’s time.
The Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy (registration number 9G-EXE) is “sick,” per the Minister’s description, indicating it has been undergoing repairs since March 11, 2025, saying its return date has had to be pushed back by technicians.
“It is sad to note that for some time now, whenever the president’s jet goes for either maintenance or overhaul, the date that is scheduled for it to return to Ghana keeps changing,” he during the Government Accountability Series in Accra Monday, July 21, 2025.
“They have extended it to two months before, and later two and a half. In this case, as we speak, the aircraft is still not in.”
The Minister refused to announce a timeline for the jet’s return, due to previous unmet timelines, amid another promised return date.
“We are hoping that the date that has been given will see the Falcon in Ghana,” he said.
The state of the aircraft, according to the Minister, does not in any way, justify the hiring or renting of another to strain the public purse.
“The truth is that the presidential jet is heavily corroded… However, that does not in any way justify hiring or renting luxurious aircraft persistently for presidential use,” he asserted.
The Presidential Jet is a flying coffin, I repeat – Security Analyst
