Associate Professor in International Trade and Director of the Trade Growth Network, Professor Evans Akwasi Gyasi, has said that while President John Mahama’s decision to travel on a commercial flight was a prudent short-term response to the country’s financial challenges, it is not a sustainable option.

Speaking on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning, Prof Gyasi explained that opting for a commercial carrier, such as the Emirates flight the President recently used for his trip to Japan, helped the state avoid the significant expenses involved in hiring private jets.

He described this as a positive move for a country managing economic constraints. "Looking at the financial constraints that we find ourselves, i think it is up to the Ghanaian people to decide which way to go. In the short them, we may safe some few thousands of dollar if the President chooses to flights."

However, he cautioned that in the long term, the practice poses serious safety and security risks. Adding that Ghana’s reputation could also be undermined if its Head of State continues to rely on commercial travel due to the unsafe condition of the presidential jet.

"In the long term, at what cost do we want to do that, we are talking about the reputation of the country and the danger we put the president in."

Prof Gyasi stressed the need for a sustainable solution to the presidential travel arrangement, warning that if the Falcon 900EX, the presidential jet, is not in good condition it should be discard and consider purchasing a new aircraft.

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