Monrovia – Vice President Jeremiah Koung has categorically denied reports Sunday that he flew out of Monrovia Saturday afternoon on a private plane.
The Vice President’s office posted photographs with the seal of his office boarding an Accra-Bound private plane.
The VP explained that he was on his way to Nigeria where he is representing President Joseph Boakai to attend the Bayesla State Governor Inauguration.
The VP acknowledged that he had run into Ghanaian billionaire businessman Mahama at a local hotel and mentioned that he was on his way to Nigeria and the Ghanaian millionaire offered him a ride to Accra, from where he departed for Nigeria on Monday.
The VP’s office later reported that he is being accompanied by Mr. Morley P. Kamara, Senior Economic Adviser to the President and they are expected to meet several leaders while on the trip.
Mahama is the founder of Engineers and Planners, a West African indigenous-owned mining company, who owns several other businesses in Ghana, including Dzata Cement Limited. He is the younger brother of John Dramani, President of Ghana from 2012 to 2017.
Dzata is the name written on the plane which VP Koung accompanied Mahama to Accra.
The flying of private was a major issue during the administration of former President George Weah, who reportedly spent More than US2million on Private jet during his presidency.
The Code of Conduct forbids officials from receiving gifts of more than US$200. The Act states: “No person holding public office shall demand and receive any other perquisites, emoluments or benefits, directly or indirectly, on account of any duty required by Government. c) The Legislature shall, in pursuance of the above provision, prescribe a Code of Conduct for all public officials and employees; stipulating the acts which constitute conflict of interest or are against public policy, and the penalties for violation thereof.”
The controversy triggered scrutiny on the former president’s use of a private jet for his foreign travels amid speculations that he had even purchased one.
After ignoring the noise for some time, President Weah quipped in January 2019: “The airplane issue is causing problem. We don’t have a bus; how will we buy a $30 million plane? Where do they get this kind of news from? It is not possible for us to buy a plane for $30 million; we are just coming to office. The airplane they are talking about is for my friend, who is the manager of a big company in Burkina Faso. He told me to use it anytime I want to travel because he has seen me use planes owned by Ivory Coast and others. He wants me use a plane that is not labeled to boost my moral, too.”
Article 90 (b) of the constitution prohibits public officials and servants from directly or indirectly demanding or receiving special privileges or benefits for what they do.
The Code of Conduct forbids officials from receiving gifts of more than US$200. The Act states: “No person holding public office shall demand and receive any other perquisites, emoluments or benefits, directly or indirectly, on account of any duty required by Government. c) The Legislature shall, in pursuance of the above provision, prescribe a Code of Conduct for all public officials and employees; stipulating the acts which constitute conflict of interest or are against public policy, and the penalties for violation thereof.”