Ablakwa must resign and apologise over presidential jet politics – Ntim Fordjour

Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign, issue a formal apology to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and support the procurement of a new presidential jet.

In a statement shared on social media on Monday, August 18, Rev. Fordjour condemned what he described as the Minister’s and the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) “petty politicization” of presidential travel issues.

“Mr. ‘Principle’ Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghanaians expect your resignation. The NDC must apologise to the people of Ghana and to President Akufo-Addo for reducing matters of state protocol to political point-scoring,” he wrote.

He argued that safety concerns surrounding the presidential aircraft were too critical to be politicised and demanded a more pragmatic approach to addressing the issue.

Rev Fordjour further urged the government to act boldly by submitting a proposal for the purchase of a new presidential jet to guarantee the President’s security and dignity during international assignments.

“Govt must be bold to submit a proposal for the acquisition of a new Presidential Jet for the President’s safety,” he insisted.

His remarks come amid renewed public debate over the condition and reliability of Ghana’s presidential aircraft, which has drawn criticism and concern in recent weeks.

Rev. Fordjour emphasised that the safety of the Head of State must take precedence over political point-scoring.

He insisted that the issue should be treated with urgency and guided by national interest, not partisan agendas.