By Daniel Bampoe
President John Dramani Mahama has embarked on a high-profile state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, the gist of the trip is the large number of entourage which The Daily Gist source put the figures at 60. Attempts to get official confirmation from deputy presidential spokesperson, Shamima Muslim was unsuccessful.
The President’s 60-member delegation all flying business class with few opting for First Class with the first family. This arrangement according to the source put strain on the airline, Emirates as it has only 45 seats for business class travelers which most had been booked by other travelers outside the presidential delegates.
The trip, which began over the weekend, is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, deepen trade relations, and attract new investments to support Ghana’s economic recovery agenda.
The visit forms part of President Mahama’s broader “Resetting Ghana” initiative—a post-election blueprint designed to revive the struggling economy through international partnerships, industrial development, and infrastructure expansion. It also comes at a time when the Mahama administration faces increasing public scrutiny over government spending and the size of official delegations abroad.
Strengthening A Longstanding Partnership
The President’s visit to Beijing marks a renewal of Ghana’s long-standing diplomatic relations with China, which date back to 1960 under the first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Over the decades, China has become one of Ghana’s most reliable development partners, financing and constructing major national projects including the Bui Hydroelectric Dam, the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, several key road networks, and digital infrastructure projects.
This year holds symbolic significance for both countries, as it marks the 65th anniversary of formal Ghana–China diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Gender Summit.
The twin anniversaries highlight the mutual commitment to partnership, gender equality, and South-South cooperation.
During the visit, President Mahama is expected to hold high-level talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, focusing on renewable energy, railway modernization, industrial expansion, and technology transfer.
He will also attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, hosted by President Xi and UN Women, as part of global efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Composition of the Delegation
The President is accompanied by First Lady Lordina Mahama, senior government officials, and heads of major economic and investment institutions.
Among the delegation are Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Trade and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Agbodza, and Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Ampem Nyarko.
Also in attendance are key figures from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Free Zones Authority, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) — institutions directly linked to Ghana’s trade and investment drive.
From the Office of the President, the team includes Executive Secretary Dr. Callistus Mahama, Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim, and Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah.
In total, the official entourage numbers around 60 — a figure that has triggered discussions about the cost and necessity of such a large delegation amid the country’s ongoing fiscal constraints.
Cost Concerns And Public Reaction
Travel industry estimates suggest that a First-Class round-trip ticket from Accra to Beijing on Emirates Airlines costs between $17,800 and $25,500 per person, while Business Class tickets are priced between $5,800 and $9,200.
With about 60 officials making the journey all on business class, the total cost could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, excluding accommodation and per diem allowances.
Sources at the Office of the President indicate that President Mahama, the First Lady, and a few top aides are traveling First Class, while the majority of the delegation is in Business Class.
Emirates Airlines was reportedly compelled to rearrange flight logistics to accommodate the large booking, causing delays in commercial schedules.
This expenditure has attracted criticism from civil society groups, opposition figures, and sections of the public who argue that such lavish spending contradicts the President’s earlier campaign promise to “protect the public purse” and run a lean, efficient government.
A Backdrop of Controversy
The China visit comes only a week after the government faced severe backlash over the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where reports indicated that over 120 individuals were part of the delegation — far above the official figure of 20 announced by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Those present in New York included several NDC regional organizers, youth activists, and political appointees, leading to allegations of “political tourism” at the expense of taxpayers. Prominent among them were Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of GoldBod, and Beatrice Annangfio, a board member of the Bank of Ghana and presidential staffer.
The revelation sparked outrage among governance watchdogs and opposition MPs, who accused the administration of double standards and wasteful expenditure.
Governance Promises Under Scrutiny
Before returning to power, President Mahama had pledged to appoint no more than 60 ministers, promising to reduce bureaucracy and waste in government.
However, since assuming office, he has appointed 16 NDC regional organizers as presidential staffers, granting them Article 71 privileges similar to deputy ministers, and recently appointed 18 Deputy Ambassadors.
Critics argue that this has expanded the government payroll without clear gains in productivity.
Chief Executive of Free Zones Authority, Mary Awusi had said most of the presidential staffers are hangers on as they have no office at the Presidency.
She said several of these appointees “do not even have designated offices or clear duties,” further fueling perceptions of political patronage.
The ballooning expenditure at the Presidency has also drawn comparisons to former President Akufo-Addo’s administration, with the current Office of the President’s budget reportedly almost triple what it was in Akufo-Addo’s final term — despite Mahama’s campaign rhetoric of fiscal prudence.
Vice President’s Simultaneous Diplomatic Mission
While the President leads the Asian leg of Ghana’s diplomatic engagements, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is in Brussels, Belgium, meeting members of the Ghanaian community as part of a European outreach initiative.
Many citizens view the President’s frequent travels with large entourages as insensitive at a time when the nation is tightening its fiscal belt.
