President John Dramani Mahama’s choice to travel on the “Gyata” private jet, owned by his brother Ibrahim Mahama, during his recent diplomatic visits to Gambia and Senegal on January 17, 2025, has sparked significant debate and criticism on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Users have expressed confusion and concern over why the President did not use the official presidential aircraft, GH 001, instead. One X post read, “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!” indicating a sentiment of neglect regarding public funds or transparency.
Another user called for transparency, asking, “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?”
The questioning extended to the condition of the official jet, with one X user stating, “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.”
In response to the public’s queries and criticisms, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, acting spokesperson for President Mahama, clarified the situation during an interview on TV3. He emphasized that the use of the Gyata private jet has not incurred any costs to the Ghanaian taxpayers, stating, “But the most critical point that should be made is that this alternative arrangement does not cost a dime of taxpayers’ money.”
Kwakye Ofosu also mentioned that President Mahama, as the Commander-in-Chief, had requested a detailed report on the state of the presidential jet from the Ghana Armed Forces but is yet to receive it. This report would cover the condition of the communication squadron responsible for managing the presidential aircraft. He explained, “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.”
President John Mahama’s trip with the Dzata Private jet comes with NO COST to the Ghanaian taxpayer.- Felix Kwakye Ofosu
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) January 17, 2025
Me: the NPP should shtfp over this. When did they know that presidents are to use the presidential jet when their President was renting private jets at… pic.twitter.com/d5wwzBguQq
He concluded by addressing the economic situation, noting, “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.”
These statements aim to quell the public outcry and clarify that the President’s travel choice was made with economic considerations in mind, leveraging a private resource that does not burden the state financially. However, the debate continues, reflecting broader concerns about governance, transparency, and the use of public versus private resources in state affairs.
It's surprising that the media, CSOs , and the public are silent about the president's decision to charter a private jet at taxpayer expense, especially when the country already has a suitable aircraft for presidential use?!. Has the suffering and hardship suddenly vanished? Hm!. pic.twitter.com/FPw0wJ7vhR
— JB™️ 🏅🏅 (@JackB_87) January 17, 2025