Ghana: President escapes plane death

  1. Posted on Monday 13 October 2008 - 04:38
    Dolphyne
    Image of Dolphyne
    Joseph Appiah-Dolphyne, AfricaNews editor in Accra, Ghana Photo: File photo of Kufuor at AU Summit
    Ghana`s president John Kufuor escaped death narrowly when his presidential jet developed a technical glitch mid-air on his way to Equatorial Guinea. The President returned to Accra 20 minutes after taking off. He was scheduled to participate in the 40th independence celebration of that country.
    John_Kufuor_African_Leaders_Ghana_Gvt
    The temperature within the cabin began to rise a few minutes into the flight, due to what the pilot - Air Commodore Michael Sampson Oje - said was the failure of the pressure system. He said the only option was to ground the plane, myjoyonline.com reported.

    The journey was aborted with President Kufuor’s consent. The plane landed safely on the tarmac from where it had lifted up into the air about 20 minutes earlier. He was expected to return to Accra last Sunday.

    Senior government officials and the Military Command had earlier seen him off at the airport. General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, an ex-military dictator, bought the plane known as the "Flying Coffin" in 1974. President Rawlings bought another Jet in 1990s, which has now been sold off.

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