President Akufo-Addo and his delegation have escaped what could have been a fatal accident after the presidential jet malfunctioned midair last Saturday.
The President was returning to Ghana from the UN General Assembly in New York when one of the engines went off.
The incident happened 30 minutes after takeoff from Washington D.C. Saturday.
Sources say the aircraft had to fly around a number of times to burn fuel before being assisted to land.
Arrangements have however being made for the President and his delegation to return on a commercial flight.
The Falcon 900 which cost $37 million has had to make two emergency landings in the last eight years. In December 2010, the jet made an emergency landing on a Libyan airstrip en route to Burkina Faso.
It was carrying then-Vice President John Mahama, football legend Abedi Pele and businessman Alhaji Asuma Banda when a fault was detected in the engine.
In March 2015, friction between the wheels and the runway caused fire on the jet while it was attempting to take off to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The Falcon 900 was purchased in July 2010 after the Mills administration said the Fokker 28 presidential jet, otherwise known as the “Flying Coffin” was too old to be useful to government.
But the Mills government was slammed by the opposition, NPP, for making a u-turn. While in opposition, the NDC had resisted moves by the then-NPP government to purchase the jet for President John Kufuor, insisting the economy was not in good shape for the comfort of a presidential jet.
But the Mills government would later go for a Brazilian credit facility to buy the 12-seater Falcon 900 and an Airbus for the military.
Latest Stories
-
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
39 seconds -
Support energy alternatives adoption to sustain businesses – GUTA tells government
6 mins -
11th DRIF opens in Accra with a call on governments to focus on digital inclusion
11 mins -
Stakeholders outline plans at RE4C Coalition’s General Assembly in Accra
18 mins -
Women Need ‘shock observers’ for active political participation – Ex-Bauchi Assembly Member
23 mins -
2024 polls: Stop fighting over positions in Mahama’s next government – Asiedu Nketiah
29 mins -
Although people may not always listen to the lyrics, there’s still a market for rap in Ghana – E.L.
34 mins -
Passengers appeal to transport operators to officially announce new fares
44 mins -
Damongo: About 400 NPP Members resign over Minister’s alleged meddling in chieftaincy affairs
1 hour -
Next NDC government will pay special attention to women – Naana Opoku-Agyemang
1 hour -
Amerado is singing and it’s good he’s doing that – Lyrical Joe
1 hour -
NDC government will establish a Women’s Development Bank – Prof Opoku-Agyemang
2 hours -
My selection is an affirmation of your belief in women – Naana Opoku tells Mahama
2 hours -
Our ticket will be a pair of experienced individuals – Mahama assures
2 hours -
NDC officially outdoors Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate
2 hours