– Presidential Press Secretary Denies Allegations of Boakai Regular Private Flights
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson
Presidential Press Secretary, Kula Fofana has denied allegations linking President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to traveling regularly on a private jet. She stated that President Boakai’s travels on private flights have been fewer than those on commercial flights over the period.
However, Fofana averred that the President in recent times has been traveling on private flights.
“90% of the President’s travels have been on commercial flights unlike most recent private ones, and he will use a privately owned charter jet or flight out of necessity,” she re-emphasized.
Even though she did not mention the cost of one charter flight during the press briefing, she stated that some of the costs and or expenses have not been on the state.
The Press Secretary’s address which was delivered on Friday, January 16, 2025, comes in response to the mixed views and debates over the President’s use of charter flights.
The Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana continued by revealing that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai will continue to use private flights out of necessity.
Unlike commercial flights, she stressed that charter flights are more convenient and allow the president to attend occasions on time, especially with proper welcoming ceremonies by host countries.
Speaking about any plans by the government to procure a charter flight, the Presidential Press Secretary said such is not a priority of the President at the moment.
“The priority of the President is to work in the interest of the Liberian people in solving most of the critical challenges ongoing namely: Food Security, maternal and newborn deaths as well as electricity among others”, she told Executive Mansion Reporters.
Kula also narrated that President Boakai while using commercial flights over the period, experienced several difficulties ranging from delays and inconvenience, among others as such, maintained that the Liberian leader will always use private jets when necessary and the proper procurement and legal processes will be followed or done.
As the debate continues about why the President used private jets in the region especially so when this administration then in opposition heavily criticized former President George Weah for using a private jet, Kula stated that she would not delve into the quote-and-unquote political communication but was hastened to mention that President Boakai will not use a private plane from one of his friends which is already branded and always parked ready for usage on other occasions.
“President Boakai will not use a private plane for morale or it will not be the case where his friend wants a business contract from the government and will offer him a private jet to fly, no, he will not do such”, she added.
In the wake of the ongoing debate, it is still unclear how much the government spends on one hired charter flight, and as the debate appears to depend Kula acknowledged that the usage of charter flights by the president was for convenience.
Critics now see the issue of necessity and convenience by the president in the usage of charter flights by the Presidential Press Secretary as a weak justification.
They frowned at such a decision by President Boakai especially so when they heavily criticized such during the former regime headed by former President George Weah when they were in opposition.
“The government is not practicing what they preach, the no business as a usual statement by President Boakai is an empty political statement and a big political bluff as he is allegedly doing the same old thing the past government did, this is very sad and shameful”, they blasted.
As the debate of necessity and convenience as mentioned by Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana on the usage of private jet by the Liberian leader elevates, it appears that he will continue in such manner and form but the unanswered question is, how much is spent on one charter flight or is it a gift from an unknown individual or group even though Madam Fofana stated that the President will not use private jet from his friend that is already branded and for the sake of morale.
