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Stay away from $130m presidential jet being sold by Mexico’s López Obrador – Ablakwa tells Akufo-Addo
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has cautioned government against any attempt to purchase the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet on sale by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa noted that government may be inclined to negotiate the purchase of the presidential jet being sold at $130 million due to President Akufo-Addo’s desire to attend his foreign trips in extravagant aircraft.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet “has all the features President Akufo-Addo craves in an aircraft.”
He also noted that the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, indicated that the government is considering acquiring a bigger aircraft for presidential travels in September last year.
Mr Ablakwa, therefore, believes government is likely to buy the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
He said Ghanaians should “strongly caution President Akufo-Addo not to entertain any thought of approaching the Mexicans to buy their Presidential Jet considering that his government had earlier announced and defended plans to buy a new so-called “fit for purpose” presidential jet, and particularly seeing that the Mexican configuration is similar to what he has become addicted to in his infamous “sky bath” charters.”
Mr Ablakwa also told Ghanaians to ensure Parliament serves notice that any such Ghana-Mexico Presidential Jet Purchase Agreement will not be ratified.
Rather than entertain thoughts of purchasing the Mexican presidential jet, Mr Ablakwa has urged President Akufo-Addo to emulate President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who insists on flying commercial, consistent with his policies of austerity and modest leadership; therefore, his decision to sell the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet bought at $218 million by his predecessor.
Meanwhile, the North Tongu MP has advised the Mexican government not to entertain any bid from Ghana.
According to him, such a negotiation cannot take place because Ghana is an unlikely candidate to meet the financial terms because of its “mismanaged economy.”
Source: MyJoyOnline.com
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
