Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has revealed that the country’s presidential jet remains grounded indefinitely due to extensive corrosion damage, with no clear timeline for its return to service.
Addressing the press at the Government Accountability Series held at Jubilee House on Monday, July 21, Dr. Boamah said the Falcon aircraft has yet to return from overseas maintenance, despite numerous promised delivery dates that have failed to materialise.
“It is sad to note that for some time now, whenever the aircraft goes for either maintenance or repair, it doesn’t come back on time. We’ve been given multiple return dates, but none have been fulfilled,” he said.
While expressing cautious optimism about the jet’s eventual return, the Defence Minister declined to disclose a new expected date, citing previous disappointments.
He described the condition of the jet as critically deteriorated, noting that the corrosion issues have been verified by both the Ghana Air Force and independent third-party assessors.
“The truth is, it is heavily corroded. This isn’t just a claim from the Air Force — it has been independently confirmed,” Dr. Boamah stated.
Despite the jet’s grounding, Dr. Boamah cautioned against the continued use of costly private charters for official travel, emphasising the need for fiscal responsibility.
“That does not justify persistently hiring luxurious aircraft. Absolutely not,” he asserted.
The Minister assured the public that the government is actively reviewing the operational readiness of the Ghana Armed Forces’ air and naval fleets as part of a broader national defence strategy. However, he said restoring the Falcon jet remains a priority in the short term.
