CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by M. K.Abissath, Ghana, December 1998
THEME = TRANSPORT
Should Ghana buy another presidential jet
to replace the old one that nearly killed the President?
After attending the 53rd Session of the United Nation General Assembly in New York, September 1998, President Rawlings of Ghana thought it wise to pay a state visit to his long-term revolutionary inspirer, President Fidel Castro of Cuba. That was when the nation heard of the traumatic plane problems Jerry Rawlings was having with his presidential jet, and how it could have killed him!
On 2 October 1998, the President and his wife, together with his entourage, returned home aboard a commercial flight of Ghana Airways - not in the Fokker 28 presidential jet. Thousands of supporters thronged the airport to welcome them back. However, having heard about the presidential jet problems, most people were singing mournful tunes or war songs, and some of the "welcome home" placards they were holding, read: "Change the "Flying Coffin""; "Life is more important than money"; "Good jet for good investment tours". The call was for the President to buy a new jet and save his life and that of his Ministers!
The Opposition, however, has listened to the calls for a new presidential plane with a great deal of suspicion. They are of the view that buying a new plane is not a priority for the nation at the moment.
When the President arrived at Accra International Airport, the first question pressmen put to him was: "Where's the jet?" The President did not answer the question himself but politely passed it to his Director of State Protocol. Then clearing his throat, he related the problems the jet had gone through.
Here's how Ghana's Daily Graphic (3 October 1998) described what happened. "On 25 September 1998, the President and his delegation flew on the presidential plane from Pittsburg, but had to return to New York on a special flight because the presidential aircraft had broken down. Engineers managed to fix the plane and the delegation left for Havana, Cuba. But the plane developed more problems after landing in Havana. Once again, the engineers got to work and the intrepid travellers plucked up courage to travel on it from Havana to Miami (23 September 1998)".
"Then it was realised again that there were some other faults with the "Flying Coffin" which delayed the flight to Atlanta City for refuelling en route to Accra, Ghana. But about 45 minutes after take-off, the jet developed further problems mid-air, and had to return to Miami airport where it was finally abandoned".
At the time of writing, there's a public debate (radio, television, newspapers) over the "Flying Coffin" saga. Some members of the public think that a President is the embodiment of the dignity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of a nation, hence it's a national disgrace that the presidential jet had to be abandoned in a different country. Also, it's disgraceful that the Head of State had to come home on a commercial flight. Others just shrug their shoulders and say: "It serves the President right."
Some citizens are against the purchasing of a new presidential jet because the nation is currently facing a socio-economic crisis. Imagine; the national minimum daily wage is now less than a dollar. The country's hospitals are nothing but graveyards. Almost all the educational institutions are virtually collapsing. Unemployment is rife. There's armed robbery, prostitution, rape, drug trafficking. The agricultural industry is going to the dogs - and they talk about buying a new presidential jet!
On the other hand, there are some who feel a new presidential jet must be purchased as a matter of national priority. They give as reasons: The abandoned presidential jet is over 22 years old (it was bought by the late General Kutu Acheampong in the 1970s); the President of any nation is the key element in foreign relations and the respect accorded him is the reflection of the image of the state. The President needs to acquire a wealth of experience and wisdom for effective and efficient management of the nation. And this he can acquire through exposure by travelling to meet other world leaders so as to exchange ideas, views, experiences as well as compare notes with his counterparts; the life of the President and his entourage is priceless and no amount of money can replace these people; a presidential jet belongs to the nation.
And finally, they say, - the "Flying Coffin" is a national disgrace.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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