A heated exchange has erupted between Stan Dogbe, a Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, and Vincent Ekow Assafuah, following claims about President Mahama’s alleged use of a private jet.
In a statement on social media, Mr. Assafuah alleged that a private jet, identified as M-BAEP, departed Accra at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 17, and suggested it was linked to the president.
He argued that the cost of the trip was excessive, outlining his calculations:
“This private jet, M-BAEP, left Accra this morning around 7 a.m. It is estimated to cost $15,000 per hour to rent this flight.
“A simple calculation shows that the 7-hour journey already covered amounts to $105,000. If the flight proceeds to Japan, which is likely to take about 12 hours, that would be another $180,000.
“If it then continues to Singapore, approximately 7 hours away, that would add another $105,000.
“Finally, if the jet flies directly to Germany and then back to Accra, a total of about 20 hours return trip, that would add another $300,000,” Mr. Assafuah said.
But Stan Dogbe, in a sharp rebuttal, dismissed the MP’s claims as illogical and embarrassing.
He pointed out that President Akufo-Addo was physically present at Christ the King Parish in Accra on Sunday morning, attending a thanksgiving mass in honour of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
“This one here will also demand to be called Honourable!
“Even if you are not street smart, it doesn’t take that much brain work to avoid embarrassing yourself, or?
“The president was live on many TV networks between 10.30 a.m. and 12.45 p.m., attending the thanksgiving mass of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah at the Christ the King Parish.
“Did he take off in the supposed jet at 7.00 a.m. and flew back for the 10.30 a.m. mass?” Dogbe quizzed.
Taking a further swipe at Assafuah’s competence, he added: “I guess we have to ask his classmates how smart this guy was in his lower school days because… Eish!
“This is not how to be relevant oooh! Vincent Ekow Assafuah, invest in reading and how to be politically relevant and stop disgracing MPs.”
