Ghana’s Presidential Jet Undergoes Extensive Repairs Amidst Corrosion and Delays
The Minister of Defense, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has addressed pressing concerns regarding the status of Ghana’s Presidential jet, the Falcon 900EX EASy, in response to a question posed by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo. The aircraft has been undergoing significant maintenance in Le Bourget, France since March 11, 2025, and is currently facing extensive delays due to serious corrosion issues and other mechanical defects.
Dr. Boamah confirmed that the Falcon 900EX EASy was unavailable for use when the Vice President returned to Ghana aboard a private jet on May 22, 2025. The aircraft was due for a routine 24-month inspection, which typically includes checks for airworthiness and safety. However, during the inspection, alarming corrosion spots were discovered in critical areas, including the fuel tanks and the air intake plug receptacle of the second engine.
“Testing confirmed that the material of the air intake plug receptacle was outside acceptable limits,” Dr. Boamah stated, emphasizing the need for immediate rectification to ensure the aircraft’s safety. The inspection has revealed severe corrosion in both the left-hand and right-hand feeder tanks, as well as the centre wing tanks, raising concerns about potential engine failure if left untreated.
The Minister detailed that the turbofan responsible for the aircraft’s environmental control system also showed heavy corrosion, necessitating its replacement. While a spare turbofan was eventually secured, the delays have pushed the projected completion date for the inspection from March 26, 2025, to the end of July 2025.
The ongoing maintenance challenges reflect a worrying trend for Ghana’s Presidential jet. Data presented by Dr. Boamah highlighted a pattern of increasing delays over recent years: no delays were recorded in 2020 and 2021, while the aircraft faced two and a half months of delays in 2022 and 2023, followed by two months in 2024, and now a staggering four-month delay in 2025.
In light of these issues, the Minister assured the public that comprehensive corrosion treatment is being conducted to ensure the aircraft’s long-term airworthiness. “The safety of our leaders and the integrity of our national assets are our top priorities,” he affirmed.
As part of the maintenance process, painting works on the aircraft are also underway, conducted in a hangar to prevent further delays in delivery. The affected areas include the leading edges of the wings and various engine components that underwent corrosion treatment.
With the Falcon 900EX EASy still grounded in France, the implications of these delays extend beyond mere logistics, raising questions about the readiness and reliability of Ghana’s Presidential transportation. As the nation awaits the aircraft’s return, the government is committed to ensuring that all necessary repairs are thoroughly completed before the jet is back in service.
As the inspection progresses, further updates will be provided to Parliament and the public to maintain transparency regarding the status of this vital asset.