Some netizens have expressed concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet for his recent state visits to Gambia and Senegal.
The president, who embarked on the visits, used the “Dzata” private jet, an aircraft owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama.
Reacting to the news, especially on social media platforms like X formerly known as Twitter, users questioned the president’s decision to use the private jet instead of the official presidential aircraft.
One Twitter user wrote, “It’s surprising that the media, CSOs, and the public are silent about the president’s decision to charter a private jet at taxpayers expense, especially when the country already has a suitable aircraft for presidential use!
Has the suffering and hardship suddenly vanished? Hm!”
Another user demanded accountability, stating, “We the people of Ghana demand accountability from John Dramani Mahama. 1. Why has he abandoned the presidential jet but is using a private jet belonging to his brother for both local and international travels?
2. Is the state paying for the jet’s fuel and maintenance?”
“Why did President Mahama reject the GH 001 presidential jet, despite it being in good condition, just to use another private jet?”
“Why is the President using his brother’s private jet for internal and external travels? Where is our presidential jet? “another questioned.
“Breaking News: Fellow Ghanaians, are you aware your President-John Mahama (@JDMahama) – visited Gambia with his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet? @S_OkudzetoAblak, do you know how much we are paying?”
“GH 001 is in pristine condition. Yet President Mahama refuses to fly it, choosing instead to charter another aircraft. Coming events do cast their shadows.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, acting spokesperson for President John Dramani Mahama, has clarified the use of the Gyata private aircraft by the president during his recent visit to Gambia and Senegal on January 17, 2025.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the private jet, which belongs to Ibrahim Mahama, the president’s brother, has been available to him since his time in opposition, and the cost of the flight has not been borne by taxpayers.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 on January 17, 2025, he explained that the president is yet to receive a report on the state of the presidential jet from the Ghana Armed Forces, hence the alternative arrangement.
“I am sure you are aware that President Mahama is the commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. Since he became president, he has requested a detailed report on the state of the communication squadron. The communication squadron is a unit within the Air Force that handles the presidential aircraft.
“So, he has requested that they give a brief on the state of the unit itself, the planes under their control, and what have you, and that report is yet to filter in,” he said.
He added, “So, pending the receipt of that report to determine the state of the aircraft, the president has been traveling the same way he was traveling in opposition, using the Gyata private jet.
“But the most critical point that should be made is that this alternative arrangement does not cost a dime of taxpayers’ money.”
“President Mahama is mindful of the precarious economic situation that we are in and therefore is committed to utilizing public funds in the most prudent way.
