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Claim $349,000 was spent to fly Ghana’s VP from England to Accra, false

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Claim: A viral Facebook post alleges $349,000 was spent flying Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang from England to Accra on a private luxury jet.

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The post, which has attracted dozens of reactions and comments, suggests that an exorbitant sum of $349,000 was used for a single private jet trip for the Vice President. Unchecked viral claims can manipulate public sentiment through emotional appeals rather than factual assessment.

The claim suggests extreme government wastage of $349,000, approximately 4-6 times higher than actual market rates for such flights. Financial misinformation about public officials can distort citizens’ understanding of national budget priorities and spending. 

DUBAWA decided to fact-check this claim to help preserve the integrity of public discourse by ensuring that citizens can form opinions based on accurate information rather than exaggerated or fabricated claims designed to provoke emotional responses.

Verification

DUBAWA analysed industry data from private jet charter companies that shows that a one-way flight from London to Accra on a heavy or ultra-long-range jet typically costs between $28,000 and $80,000, depending on the aircraft type and luxury level. For example, PereJets lists ultra-long-range jets for this route at $36,100–$52,800 one way. Another provider, 1FLT, quotes up to $76,200 for the same journey. Even with premium services and last-minute bookings, data states prices rarely exceed $100,000 for a one-way trip between these cities.

No credible evidence, such as government expenditure records, flight manifests, or reputable news reports, confirms that $349,000 was spent on a private jet to transport the Vice President from England to Accra. The figure quoted in the viral post is more than four times the highest published rate for this type of journey.

 Could Any Special Circumstance Justify the Amount?

  • While costs can rise due to extra stops, repositioning fees, or luxury add-ons, DUBAWA can confirm that even the most exclusive private jet charters for this route do not approach the $349,000 mark.

When DUBAWA checked flight tracking websites (like FlightAware) for any records of private jet flights arriving in Accra from England on the relevant dates, we found that the Vice President used a VistaJet charter, specifically a Bombardier Global Express (GLEX), a large, ultra-long-range business jet.

Flight Details:

  • Departure: 10:18 AM BST from England (scheduled for 09:07 AM BST)
  • Arrival: 03:40 PM GMT in Accra (scheduled for 02:29 PM GMT)
  • Flight Duration: Approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes

Flight tracking on FlightAware

What Is the Realistic Cost of This Flight?

Industry Rates for Bombardier Global Express (GLEX) Charter

  • VistaJet and other providers typically charge between $8,000 and $12,000 per hour for this aircraft.
  • Total Flight Time: ~6.5 hours (rounded up for possible taxiing and delays)
  • Estimated Cost Calculation:
    • $8,000 × 6.5 = $52,000
    • $12,000 × 6.5 = $78,000
  • Typical Range for This Route:
    $52,000–$78,000 (one-way, London to Accra, on a Bombardier Global Express)

Other Considerations

  • Even with extra fees (landing, handling, crew), the total rarely exceeds $90,000–$100,000 for a one-way trip.
  • There is no credible scenario where the cost would reach $349,000 for this specific flight.

Conclusion

After thorough verification, DUBAWA finds the claim that $349,000 was spent to charter a private jet for the Vice President’s flight from England to Accra is false. Industry data, flight tracking records, and market rates for the Bombardier Global Express used on the trip show that such a flight typically costs between $52,000 and $78,000, with even the highest estimates rarely exceeding $100,000. No credible evidence supports the viral figure, which is grossly exaggerated and not reflective of private jet charter costs for this route. 

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