By Daniel Bampoe
In a twist of political irony, Foreign Affairs Minister and North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, once hailed as the unrelenting crusader against government opulence in the skies, now finds himself at the center of a growing storm over perceived double standards in aircraft usage under the Mahama administration.
This development comes on the heels of national grief following the tragic military helicopter crash that has claimed the lives of eight Ghanaian officials.
Okudzeto Ablakwa was visibly emotional as he laid a wreath at the Jubilee House in honour of the victims, particularly Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
When confronted by a journalist about his previous criticisms of presidential jet usage under the Akufo-Addo administration, and whether recent events called for the purchase of a new aircraft, Ablakwa opted for a cautious response.
“I will leave those matters for the Investigative Board that the President has commissioned to look into this tragedy. They should come up with their recommendations, and I’m sure they will come to us in Cabinet and in Parliament,” he said.
From Aircraft Watchdog to Minister Under Fire
Okudzeto Ablakwa’s reticence marks a sharp departure from his vocal past. As a Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee during the Akufo-Addo era, he built a reputation on transparency and public accountability, particularly targeting what he termed “obscene presidential luxury.”
He repeatedly lambasted President Akufo-Addo for opting for private luxury jets such as the Airbus ACJ320neo from Acropolis Aviation, at a reported cost of £15,000 per hour.
Okudzeto Ablakwa published detailed breakdowns of flight durations, fuel stops, and costs — including a now-famous open letter accusing Akufo-Addo of burdening the suffering Ghanaian taxpayer with unnecessary extravagance, all while Ghana was begging for international debt relief.
He went further to question why the Ghanaian Presidential Jet, a Falcon 900 EXE acquired in 2008, was abandoned when it was in “pristine condition” and already being used by other ministers and visiting dignitaries.
At the time, he framed the issue as one of patriotic duty, security prudence, and moral leadership.
Accusations of Hypocrisy After Vice President’s Private Jet Flight
Fast forward to August 2025, and Okudzeto Ablakwa is no longer the opposition legislator challenging the government. He is now Foreign Affairs Minister in President Mahama’s second-term administration — and critics argue his silence speaks volumes.
Some months ago, he also became under fire, when Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang returned from a medical trip abroad aboard a luxurious VistaJet charter, igniting a flurry of criticism.
The trip reportedly cost tens of thousands of dollars per hour and was shrouded in silence from government officials — including Okudzeto Ablakwa, the man once famed for blowing the whistle.
Opposition MP John Ntim Fordjour and former Deputy Transport Minister Alhassan Tampuli were among the first to revive Ablakwa’s own past statements, including a bold pledge to resign should any government he was part of charter a private aircraft for presidential use.
“You were categorical in your vow,” Fordjour reminded Ablakwa. “You dared Ghanaians that you would immediately resign as Minister if your Presidency used a private jet.”
No Longer the Moral High Ground?
For many Ghanaians, Okudzeto Ablakwa’s response — or lack thereof — to this new development is a betrayal of the principles he once stood for.
They argue that this marks a⁰ serious erosion of credibility for a man whose brand was built on consistency, accountability, and stewardship of the public purse.
