Letter from Africa: Why do presidential jets cause a storm?
By Elizabeth Ohene*
[caption id="attachment_22543" align="alignleft" width="660"]In our series of letters from African journalists, Ghanaian writer and former government minister Elizabeth Ohene looks at the uproar presidential jets cause in Africa, following reports that South Africa plans to buy a new one.
I am not quite sure why the purchase of presidential jets for African leaders attracts such negative reactions from everybody. I wonder if it has anything to do with luxury in the air, as opulence of the most absurd levels appear tolerable on firm ground. Private jets are probably the ultimate in self-indulgence. To acquire one is a sign that you have attained a particularly exclusive status. Never again would you have to wait for scheduled flights or spend hours at airports. Never again would you need to be away from your base for a week when you attend a two-day conference because commercial flight schedules are the way they are. Saving time is the best excuse for buying a private jet. Executive time, after all, is expensive or is presumed to be expensive. But then a private jet wouldn’t be a private jet unless and until it has been customized to include grand bedrooms, bathrooms with gold washbasins as standard features, and sitting arrangements reconfigured to ensure there are comfortable armchairs and sofas. It must cost twice the original price of the jet. When Microsoft founder Bill Gates flies around the world doing good in his private jet, nobody begrudges him; he has a demanding schedule, he has made his own money and he deserves to travel in style. But when charismatic church leaders in Nigeria insist that luxury private jets must be part of their lifestyle, people are not quite sure. If you are a poor country, or simply an African country and you want to buy an aeroplane for the exclusive use of your president, then you have crossed some imaginary line. You are beyond the pale – the type that watches children die. [caption id="attachment_22544" align="alignright" width="624"]‘Ghana presidential jet not luxurious’
In the past week, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has been the subject of much vitriol when news emerged that a new luxury plane was being sought by the state-owned defence company to add to the current VVIP fleet. Mr Zuma’s palatial extensions will be forgiven, the state might continue to keep his many wives in style but a new luxury plane won’t be tolerated. And I must make a confession here. I have had a ride in a private jet belonging to a rich businessman, in Ghana’s presidential jet, and in one of the jets in the Nigerian presidential fleet. What will new South Africa jet be like?- Range of 13,800km (8,600 miles)
- Able to fly non-stop to New York or Moscow
- Carry up to 30 passengers
- Private bedroom suite
- Conference room for eight people
- Could cost up to ($280m; £185m)
- No final decision to buy it
- Cheaper option will be considered