FLASHBACK: I will resign if Prof Naana Jane ever flies in private jet – Ablakwa

The return of Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang from a medical trip abroad has stirred serious public debate—not because of the visit itself, but because of how she returned to Ghana.

The Vice President arrived on board a Vista Private Jet, and that move has attracted heavy backlash from Ghanaians, especially on social media. What made the situation even more controversial was the resurfacing of an old video of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, now the Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he vowed to resign if an NDC government ever used a private jet while in power.

Ablakwa’s Old Video Sparks Controversy

In the video clip which has gone viral, Ablakwa—then an opposition MP—spoke passionately against the use of expensive private jets by government officials. He was speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues programme in July 2022, where he made a bold promise:

“I don’t have anything against the president, but it’s about protecting the public purse, and I don’t expect a future NDC president to hire jets at such high cost. Some of us would resign; I wouldn’t want to be part of such a government,” Ablakwa said.

Back then, he was constantly on the neck of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing him of wasting public money by renting luxury jets for his foreign trips. Ablakwa’s detailed breakdowns of flight costs won him praise from Ghanaians who felt the country’s leaders were becoming too extravagant.

Today, many feel betrayed, saying he’s now part of the same behaviour he once condemned.

Ntim Fordjour Calls for Ablakwa’s Resignation

Following the news of the private jet usage, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and former Deputy Minister of Education, has added fuel to the fire.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he called on Ablakwa to “do the honourable thing” and resign immediately, reminding him of his own words.

“Okudzeto Ablakwa… do the noble thing and resign with immediate effect. You hang yourself with your words!”

Fordjour accused Ablakwa of engaging in “populist stunts” while in opposition—criticising and preaching principles he apparently cannot uphold now that he’s in government.

“You were categorical in your vow. You dared Ghanaians that you would immediately resign as Minister if your presidency used a private jet in their regime. Be a man of principles and RESIGN!”

What Makes This Such a Big Deal?

For many Ghanaians, this issue is not just about a plane. It’s about trust, accountability, and the double standards of politicians.

While in opposition, NDC leaders like Ablakwa positioned themselves as watchdogs of the public purse, promising a more modest and prudent approach to governance.

But now in power, the same practices they condemned are being quietly adopted—and in some cases, even defended.

The use of Vista Private Jet, which is widely known to be one of the most luxurious and expensive private flight services in the world, goes directly against what Ablakwa and others promised.

This makes many people wonder: Was the criticism real, or just a way to win votes?

Ghanaians React Online

Social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, has been buzzing with strong reactions from the public.

Some users have posted side-by-side comparisons of Ablakwa’s old statements and the current private jet saga. Others are using memes and sarcasm to express their disappointment.

“This is why we don’t trust politicians. NPP lied to us. NDC too is doing the same. We are tired!” one Facebook user posted.

Another X user tweeted:

“So Ablakwa was just making noise all along? Where is the man who used to calculate how much fuel the President was burning in the sky?”

Ablakwa Yet to Respond

As of the time of this report, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has not made any public statement on the matter. Many are waiting to hear from him—some hoping for an explanation, others expecting him to honour his words and resign.

Political analysts say his silence is not helping the situation. They believe the longer he keeps quiet, the more the pressure will mount, especially as Ghanaians are growing impatient with hypocrisy in politics.

Is the Use of a Private Jet Wrong?

Interestingly, Rev. Ntim Fordjour himself admitted that using a private jet is not necessarily criminal or wrong, especially if the official presidential jet is unavailable.

But he insisted that Ablakwa must live by the same rules he preached. If he once condemned the NPP for doing it, he can’t now turn around and pretend it’s acceptable.

“If your principle was that flying private jets is wrong, and now your government is doing the same, you must either resign or admit that you were just playing politics,” Fordjour argued.

A Test of Integrity and Leadership

This situation is not just a political scandal—it’s a test of integrity, especially for a man like Okudzeto Ablakwa who built his reputation on fighting for transparency and public accountability.

Many Ghanaians are now asking:

Will he step down to prove he’s a man of his word?

Or will he ignore the criticism and continue in office, hoping the storm will blow over?

Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: Ghanaians are watching, and they remember promises—especially in this age of screenshots and viral videos.

Conclusion: Ghana Needs Consistency, Not Double Standards
The private jet saga surrounding Vice President Opoku-Agyemang’s return has become more than just a travel issue. It has opened a wider conversation about political honesty, accountability, and whether our leaders truly mean what they say when they are out of power.

Okudzeto Ablakwa may be facing his biggest political test yet—not in Parliament, not in court, but in the court of public opinion.

And in Ghana, that court has a very long memory.