BY Daniel Bampoe
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has mounted a strong defence of President John Dramani Mahama amid growing public and political debate over his use of a private jet owned by his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official international travel.
The controversy has dominated the political discourse in recent weeks following reports that the President has relied on the aircraft for several official engagements, including foreign trips, at a time when the country’s official presidential aircraft is said to be in pristine condition.
Inusah Fuseini Defends Arrangement
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, has rejected suggestions that the arrangement is inappropriate.
Speaking on JoyNews current affairs programme Newsfile, Fuseini insisted there is nothing inherently wrong with the President using his brother’s private jet for official duties.
“There is nothing absolutely wrong with it,” he said, arguing that critics may be overstating the ethical implications of the decision.
According to him, the central issue should not necessarily be the ownership of the aircraft but whether the arrangement serves the national interest and complies with proper procedures.
Government Explains Temporary Measure
The government has also sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the President’s reliance on the private aircraft.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the decision is a temporary measure necessitated by the absence of a reliable state aircraft capable of transporting the President for international engagements.
Speaking on Top Story on Joy FM on March 12, he said the government opted for the arrangement in order to avoid the high cost of chartering commercial private jets.
“The state of Ghana has a deficit in terms of its ability to ferry the president,” he said.
According to him, Ibrahim Mahama had owned the aircraft even before his brother became president, and the President simply continued using the same aircraft for travel rather than burdening the state with expensive charter fees.
“The president says that rather than going to take taxpayers’ money to rent an aircraft, let me continue using that aircraft that I was using pending the arrival of the arrangement the state has made,” Kwakye Ofosu explained.
He emphasised that the arrangement would only remain in place until the government secures a more dependable presidential aircraft.
Concerns Over Presidential Jet Reliability
Government officials have also cited concerns raised by the Ghana Air Force regarding the reliability of Ghana’s official presidential jet, the Dassault Falcon 900EX.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the Air Force has advised against using the aircraft for presidential travel due to frequent technical issues and security concerns.
“They have indicated that its operations have proved unreliable and that it costs too much to maintain because the slightest movement requires repairs,” he said
The government has therefore begun processes to secure a new aircraft that will serve as the country’s official presidential jet.
Debate Over Transparency
While some analysts have defended the practical logic of the arrangement, they have also stressed the need for transparency.
Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, said the use of a private jet owned by a family member is not necessarily problematic, but the government must clearly disclose the details of the arrangement.
Speaking on Newsfile, he said transparency is essential in order to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest.
“If I am a CEO of Dalex, it doesn’t mean my brother cannot provide certain services, but that decision cannot be taken by me. It should be thoroughly transparent,” he said.
Jackson suggested that government should clearly state the operational cost of the aircraft, the nature of services provided, and whether any payments are involved.
Critics Raise Ethical and Security Concerns
Despite the government’s explanation, several critics remain unconvinced.
Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has strongly condemned the practice, describing it as inappropriate for a sitting president.
Speaking on Newsfile on March 14, Bentil argued that presidential travel arrangements go beyond convenience and must reflect the dignity and security of the state.
“It affects the morale of the people when their leader uses a privately-owned jet rather than one provided and maintained by the state,” he said.
He also warned that using a privately owned aircraft could create security vulnerabilities.
“If the president travels on his brother’s jet and it is not serviced or operated under state supervision, there is a risk that a listening device could be planted, putting the security of the state at risk,” he cautioned.
Kofi Bentil further argued that even if cost savings are cited as justification, national security considerations should take precedence.
Opposition Accuses Government Of Double Standards
The issue has also drawn criticism from members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama, accused President Mahama of breaching the Code of Conduct for government appointees by repeatedly using his brother’s aircraft for official travel.
According to the lawmaker, the arrangement raises serious ethical concerns and could amount to a conflict of interest.
Similarly, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, accused the NDC government of applying double standards.
He noted that while in opposition, the NDC frequently criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for chartering private jets for international travel, only to adopt similar arrangements after assuming power.
