Ghana’s $1.1bn presidential jet plan reignites debate over cost and priorities

• Opposition claims cost could hit $1.2bn over several years
• Security needs clash with public anger over economic priorities

ACCRA, GHANA – A plan to acquire new presidential jets and military helicopters has reignited fierce debate in Ghana over security, public spending and political priorities amid fragile economic recovery.

Ghana’s presidential jet has long been a lightning rod in national politics, a symbol of sovereignty for supporters and a flashpoint for accusations of excess among critics. The current official aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX with registration 9G-EXE, was delivered to the Ghana Air Force around 2010 and has since been at the centre of repeated maintenance and reliability debates.