By Daniel Bampoe
A major political and constitutional controversy is unfolding in the extractive and governance space, as the New Patriotic Party Minority Members in Parliament move to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over what it describes as a clear conflict of interest involving President John Dramani Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, revealed that the Minority is taking steps to file a formal petition with CHRAJ, in collaboration with civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
According to him, the issue goes beyond politics and strikes at the heart of Ghana’s constitutional governance.
“The Minority is formally considering a joint petition with civil society organisations, professional bodies, and concerned citizens… on both the private jet arrangements and the Damang mine process as two manifestations of the same constitutional breach,” he stated.
Jet Use And Questions of Conflict of Interest
The controversy stems from the President’s continued use of a private jet owned by Ibrahim Mahama’s company, Engineers & Planners, for official state travel since assuming office in January 2025.
The NDC Government has defended the arrangement as a temporary cost-saving measure, explaining that the State only pays for fuel and landing charges, while the aircraft owner absorbs all other costs.
However, the Minority argues that this arrangement constitutes a significant personal benefit and raises serious ethical and constitutional concerns.
They insist that the issue is not merely about cost savings, but about the implications of accepting benefits from an individual whose business interests intersect with government decisions.
“The President must immediately cease using his brother’s aircraft for official travel, for as long as Ibrahim Mahama’s companies hold, seek, or are in negotiation for any state contract, concession, or mineral rights,” Ampratwum-Sarpong, MP for Asante Mampong declared.
Ampratwum-Sarpong, former deputy Foreign Affairs Minister further emphasized that transparency is essential in maintaining public trust, adding that the Presidency must provide a full account of all such travel arrangements.
“The Presidency must publish a full accounting of all travel on Ibrahim Mahama’s aircraft since January 2025, including dates, destinations, total cost borne by the State, and the estimated market value of services provided without charge,” he demanded.
The Minority maintains that under Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, public officials are prohibited from placing themselves in positions where their personal interests conflict with their official responsibilities. They argue that the repeated use of a private jet owned by a close family member with active business dealings with the State falls squarely within this prohibition.
Damang Gold Mine: A Strategic National Asset
The controversy has been further heightened by developments surrounding the Damang Gold Mine, currently operated by Gold Fields’ subsidiary Abosso Goldfields Limited, whose lease is set to expire on April 18, 2026.
Damang is considered one of the most valuable mining assets, contributing significantly to gold output, employment, and local economic activity. Over the years, the mine has supported hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect livelihoods, making its future management a matter of national importance.
Engineers & Planners, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, is reported to be among the key contenders seeking to take over operations of the mine once the lease expires.
The company’s long-standing involvement at Damang as a contractor has given it deep operational knowledge of the mine and insider dealing, a factor the Minority believes places it in a uniquely advantageous position.
However, the Caucus argues that the integrity of the process is now in question due to the overlapping relationship between the President and his brother.
“Two Manifestations Of The Same Problem”
The Minority insists that the private jet arrangement and the Damang bidding process cannot be treated as separate issues.
“These are not separate stories. They are the same story,” the statement emphasized, arguing that the provision of benefits and the pursuit of a major state asset by the same individual creates a perception of undue influence.
The Caucus contends that even if no wrongdoing is proven, the appearance of conflict is enough to undermine public confidence in governance.
They argue that any decision taken under such circumstances risks being viewed as compromised.
Call For Investigation And Accountability
As part of its next steps, the Minority has announced its intention to formally invoke Article 287 of the Constitution to petition CHRAJ to investigate the matter.
“The Minority will formally refer the matter to CHRAJ… for a determination as to whether the arrangement constitutes a breach of Article 284 and the President’s own Code of Conduct,” Ampratwum-Sarpong stated.
The petition is expected to cover both the private jet arrangement and the Damang mine process, which the Minority describes as interconnected elements of a broader governance concern.
In addition to the CHRAJ petition, the Caucus is calling for greater transparency in the Damang bidding process, including full disclosure of all bidders, evaluation criteria, and decision-making procedures.
They have also called for a halt to the process until all concerns are addressed, warning that any perceived irregularities could trigger legal and political consequences.
Broader Governance Implications
The Minority’s intervention highlights growing concerns about conflict of interest, transparency, and accountability in public office. They argue that Ghana’s democratic system depends not only on adherence to the law but also on maintaining public confidence in the fairness of state decisions.
According to them, the situation presents one of the most serious tests of governance standards in recent times, particularly given the strategic importance of the mining sector to the economy.
They warn that failure to address these concerns could damage Ghana’s reputation among investors and weaken trust in public institutions.
A Developing Political Showdown
With the Damang lease deadline approaching and the CHRAJ petition imminent, the issue is expected to intensify political debate in the coming weeks.
The NDC government is likely to come under increasing pressure to clarify both the jet arrangement and the integrity of the mining process, while the Minority has signaled its readiness to pursue the matter through legal, parliamentary, and public accountability channels.
