Presidential Jet Still Grounded in France Over Severe Corrosion – Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has confirmed that the country’s presidential jet remains grounded in France due to serious technical faults, including heavy corrosion in its fuel tanks and engine components.

The jet’s prolonged absence has reignited public debate over whether Ghana should invest in a new, more spacious, and reliable aircraft for the presidency.

While some have raised concerns over cost and timing, others argue that a modern replacement is necessary to avoid dependence on costly rentals.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 21, Dr. Omane Boamah described the state of the Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy (registration number 9G-EXE) as “sick,” revealing that it has been undergoing major repairs since March 11, 2025, with its return date repeatedly pushed back by technicians.

“It is sad to note that for some time now, whenever the president’s jet goes for either maintenance or overhaul, the date that is scheduled for it to return to Ghana keeps changing,” he said.

“They have extended it to two months before, and later two and a half. In this case, as we speak, the aircraft is still not in.”

He added that although another return date has been promised, he would refrain from announcing it publicly due to previous unmet timelines.

“We are hoping that the date that has been given will see the Falcon in Ghana,” he said.

Despite the extent of the damage, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasised that the current condition of the jet does not justify the repeated hiring of expensive luxury aircraft for presidential travel.

“The truth is that the presidential jet is heavily corroded… However, that does not in any way justify hiring or renting luxurious aircraft persistently for presidential use,” he asserted.