..$37m for presidential jet NOT part of air force budget! According to the Accra-based radio station JOYFM, the $37 million budget allocated by government for the purchase of a 12-seater Falcon-900 presidential jet is not part of the $100 million budget for the acquisition of equipment for Ghana’s Air Force.

Even though parliament has ratified the $100 million budget for the purchase of equipment including aircrafts, laptops and Personal Computers for the Ghana Air Force, the House has gone into a closed meeting to discuss the extra $37 million for the purchase of a presidential jet.

This revelation is in contrast to what government appointees have been telling the Ghanaian public. Initially, government appointees have quoted $100 million for the entire budget including the purchase of the presidential jet when the matter came up. This revelation, however, brings the total amount in the budget to $137 million.

Justifying the purchase during an interview on Thursday March 12, 2008, on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Mr Andrew Awuni, Presidential Spokesperson said the $37 million allocated for the jet was part of the total of $100 million budgeted for the purchase of equipment for the Ghana Air Force which old fleet would have to be grounded in three years.

There have been public outcry against the idea since the news broke.

The argument is being made that the plans by government to purchase a presidential jet at the cost of $37 million when Ghanaians can’t afford basic daily amenities like water is misplaced.