Depoliticise presidential jet, GAF helicopter purchase — Asantehene
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for the depoliticisation of discussions about the purchase of presidential jet and helicopters for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“As a nation, discussions on such matters should be devoid of partisanship and rather be based on safety and efficiency of the presidential jet and helicopters.
“Enough of the politicisation of issues concerning the purchase of presidential jet and military helicopters since human lives are definitely at stake. We must prioritise and duly invest in them to safeguard the lives of the users,” he stressed.
The Asantehene made the call when the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, led an entourage to call on him at the Manhyia Palace last Wednesday.
The minister and his team were at the palace to commiserate with Otumfuo following the passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, the Asantehene officially announced the passing of the Asantehemaa.
The one-week observance of the passing of Nana Konadu Yiadom III is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The 98-year-old Asantehemaa, who reigned for eight years, was born in 1927 and died on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Poor condition
Owing to the continuous use of the presidential jet and the military helicopters over the years, he said they were currently not in good condition, saying, “therefore, there is the need to purchase new ones for the safety of the users”.
He added that the purchase of such national assets should be devoid of extreme partisanship in the interest of the country.
Uproot galamsey
Touching on illegal mining, the Asantehene entreated the government to put in place decisive measures towards uprooting the menace in the country as its devastating consequences were unbearable.
He said, “the death of the eight persons should not be in vain and that the pain must be channelled into dealing with illegal mining. We must nip it in the bud to safeguard the environment and protect the lives all Ghanaians”.
Update
After commiserating with Otumfuo, Dr Amoakohene used the occasion to give an update on President John Dramani Mahama’s plans towards the state funeral in honour of the life, service and legacy of the eight individuals who perished in the helicopter crash.
Helicopter crash
Otumfuo’s comments came in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025 in Adansi-Brofoyedu in the Adansi-Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region that claimed the lives of eight people, including two cabinet ministers.
The Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the six others were on the helicopter heading for a national assignment in Obuasi.
The others were the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, who was on his first official assignment since his appointment a fortnight ago; a National Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Samuel Sarpong; a parliamentary candidate in the 2024 elections, Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot, and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah, a crew member.
Background
In 2021, the government initiated processes to acquire a new and bigger aircraft for presidential use, in addition to the existing French-built Dassault Falcon 900 EX-Easy aircraft, acquired during President John Agyekum Kufuor’s era in 2007 but was delivered for use in 2010.
The then Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, handled the processes and was expected to announce details later.
The then Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, gave the hint at a press briefing at the Jubilee House on Monday, September 27, 2021.
“Government is already in the process of acquiring a bigger jet for use,” he said.
Response in Parliament
In June the same year, Mr Nitiwul, responding to a question on the jet in Parliament, said the time was ripe for the nation to acquire a new and befitting presidential jet.
This, he said, was because the current Falcon 900 EX-Easy aircraft being used by the then President was not fit for purpose.
“The capacity of the current Falcon aircraft is far below that of Fokker 28 which flew very, very important persons of more than 25 passengers during the Acheampong, Akuffo, Rawlings and Kufuor eras, hence the urgent need for an appropriate aircraft which can carry better payload in terms of passengers of 70 to 100 people, and all their baggage without affecting the performance of the aircraft.
Writer’s email; gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.
