Ghana’s Presidential Jet Grounded in France For Months After Mandatory Inspection
- The presidential jet has been grounded in France because of major repair works on serious defects
- The details emerged following a parliamentary inquiry from the MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah
- A status report indicated that the jet was undergoing its mandatory 24-month inspection
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Ghana’s official presidential aircraft has been grounded in France because of major repair works.
It has been grounded since March 11, 2025, because of multiple defects deemed critical.
Source: UGC
3News reported that these issues include severe corrosion in its fuel tanks and engine components.
The details emerged following a parliamentary inquiry after Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang returned to Ghana aboard an unofficial private jet in May 2025.
The MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, had asked if the presidential jet was unavailable, restricted, or reassigned at the time of the Vice President’s private return.
Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah confirmed the jet’s unavailability, citing extensive maintenance work at Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France.
What is wrong with Ghana's presidential jet?
A document obtained by 3news with a status report indicated that the jet was undergoing its mandatory 24-month inspection
During this process, technicians discovered severe corrosion in the aircraft, including in an engine.
Corrosion and damage on one engine's air intake plug receptacle and turbofan required complete replacement.
In addition, a series of deferred defects accumulated over previous operations that required manufacturer-level repair.
The report also noted that the fuel tank contamination, if left untreated, could cause engine failure during flight, posing a serious safety risk.
The jet was supposed to be ready by March 26, 2025, but has been postponed multiple times.
The final handover is now tentatively expected by July 31, 2025.
In 2023, the jet spent six months in France for repairs.
Ibrahim Mahama jet controversy
YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama's use of his brother's private jet prompted some criticism from observers online back in January.
The criticism centred around concerns about conflict of interest.
At the time, the acting spokesperson of the presidency, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, explained that the President was travelling in his brother’s jet because the Ghana Airforce had yet to provide him with reports on the state of the presidential jet and other flights under their mandate.
Source: YEN.com.gh
