Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul is turning up the heat on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, urging him to step down over what he describes as a broken promise to Ghanaians regarding the use of private jets for presidential travel.
The pressure follows public uproar after Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang reportedly returned to Ghana aboard a rented private jet—a practice Ablakwa vehemently opposed while in opposition.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Nitiwul challenged Ablakwa’s credibility, pointing to his past pledge that no National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration would resort to private jets and that he would resign if they ever did.
“Nobody forced him to make that promise,” Nitiwul said. “He made it voluntarily, without conditions. It’s not about whether the circumstances changed—it’s about integrity and standing by your word.”
Nitiwul dismissed any justification the NDC might provide for the use of the jet, stressing that Ablakwa’s commitment was not conditional. “He didn’t say, ‘Unless there’s an emergency’ or ‘Unless it’s the Vice President.’ He said if they used a private jet, he would resign. Period.”
The comments reflect rising political tensions, as the opposition faces scrutiny over its consistency on government spending and accountability. Nitiwul insists that for Ablakwa to maintain public trust, he must either honour his word or explain clearly to Ghanaians why he won’t.
“It’s not about partisanship—it’s about principles,” Nitiwul concluded. “He claimed to stand for prudent governance. Well, now is the time to prove it.”
The issue has sparked a broader debate on political promises, public trust, and accountability across Ghana’s political spectrum.
