BY Grace Zigah
President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has publicly questioned the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to travel on a private jet reportedly owned by his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, arguing that the move sends mixed signals about the government’s own standards on public conduct and fiscal discipline.
In a strongly worded public commentary, Cudjoe urged the President to explain why he opted for the private aircraft at a time when he has reportedly cautioned government appointees to limit official travel unless there is clear economic justification.
According to him, such directives must apply consistently across the administration, including the presidency.
“Mr. President, with due respect, you cannot be asking your appointees not to travel without providing economic justification and then jump on your brother’s plane without providing us reasons why you think it is the only safe, available and cheaper airline,” Cudjoe stated.
Call for Transparency
The IMANI Africa president argued that the President’s decision risks undermining the credibility of efforts to enforce discipline and cost-conscious governance within the administration.
He maintained that when leaders impose standards on their appointees, they must demonstrate strict adherence to those same standards.
He recalled that the President had recently undertaken an international trip using a commercial airline, a move that drew public commendation when the government’s communications team shared footage of the journey online.
“You recently flew commercial and your communications team happily shared videos. We all applauded,” he noted, suggesting that the earlier decision had set a positive example of modesty and cost awareness in public office.
Renewed Debate Over Presidential Travel
The criticism comes amid renewed debate over reports that President Mahama travelled on a private jet belonging to Ibrahim Mahama for an official visit to Seoul, South Korea.
The trip, which began on March 10, 2026, is aimed at strengthening Ghana’s diplomatic and economic cooperation with Asian partners.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show the President boarding a private aircraft linked to his brother’s aviation fleet. The aircraft is believed to be associated with the “Dzata” brand, a name connected to Ibrahim Mahama’s business ventures.
The development has triggered fresh political scrutiny, particularly from critics who argue that the arrangement raises questions about optics, transparency, and adherence to official travel protocols.
Government’s Position
Government officials have previously defended the President’s use of private aircraft provided by Ibrahim Mahama, insisting that such arrangements do not cost the Ghanaian taxpayer.
They claimed the use of the aircraft represents a practical alternative in situations where the official presidential jet is unavailable or unsuitable for certain long-distance routes.
The presidency has also explained that the official presidential aircraft, the Dassault Falcon 900EX operated by the Ghana Air Force, has limitations in terms of range and operational readiness for certain long-haul journeys.
Officials further argue that accepting the use of privately provided aircraft can help the state avoid the high costs associated with chartering commercial private jets.
Echoes Of Past Political Rhetoric
Franklin Cudjoe’s comments also revived a phrase closely associated with President Mahama’s earlier political career — the controversial “dead goat syndrome” remark, which he made in 2014 during intense criticism of his administration.
At the time, Mahama suggested that his government had developed a “dead goat syndrome,” meaning it had become immune to criticism because of persistent attacks from political opponents.
In his latest remarks, he warned that repeated controversies could revive that narrative.
“This is the second time I have heard about using Mr. Ibrahim Mahama’s plane and you may be earning back your own ‘dead goat syndrome’, which was last rejected by many. Please stop,” he wrote.
Wider Public Discussion
The issue of presidential travel has long been a politically sensitive subject in Ghana. Previous administrations have faced criticism over the use of chartered luxury jets for international trips, with concerns often centred on cost, transparency, and the optics of executive privilege.
While supporters of the President argue that the use of a privately provided aircraft does not burden the public purse, critics say the arrangement still raises important ethical questions about the boundaries between private resources and official state functions.
