Akufo-Addo’s flight expenses could have bought new presidential jet – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson says former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s reliance on chartered flights cost the state enough to purchase a new presidential aircraft.

He made the point on TV3’s Key Points programme on Saturday morning, arguing that the accumulated expenditure on chartered travel was substantial enough to secure a state-owned jet valued between $50 million and $60 million.

“The former president spent a lot of money chartering planes and using it for official duties. Have you considered the cost of chartering to the state versus buying?

“Today, we may spend $50 to $60 million to buy an aircraft enough to be used by the state and secure the safety of not only the president but also the executive, and also be available for other use for the state,” he said.

He added that a review of previous spending showed that the total outlay on chartering might equal or exceed the amount required to buy such an aircraft.

“If you go back to history, you will notice that the charterings that have been happening may be equal or even more than the $50 million United States Dollars that we may have spent,” he said.

Since reading the budget on Thursday, 13th November 2025, the Finance Minister has been on media rounds explaining components of the government’s economic plan to the public.

He has pledged commitment to cut wasteful spending and remove nuisance taxes in order to encourage productivity, particularly in the private sector.