On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, addressed the ongoing public debate regarding President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private aircraft owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, for official international travel.
In an article titled "On presidential travel, public trust, and the discipline of the reset," Dr. Mahama acknowledged the ethical concerns raised by citizens while outlining the path toward a self-reliant state aviation fleet.
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Acknowledging Public Scrutiny
Dr. Callistus Mahama emphasized that the administration respects the public's right to demand accountability and transparency:
Valid Concerns: He stated that public apprehension regarding a "perception of a possible conflict of interest" is legitimate and should be addressed within the context of responsible governance.
Temporary Necessity: He explained that current travel arrangements are temporary and influenced by the "operational limitations" of the state's existing aircraft, some of which were not designed for long-range diplomatic missions.
Complexity of Travel: He reminded the public that presidential travel involves stringent security protocols and communication systems that require the President to remain fully functional as the executive authority even while airborne.
New Presidential Aircraft by November
To address the current shortfall, Dr. Mahama confirmed that the government is moving swiftly to upgrade the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) fleet:
Dassault Falcon 6X: Ghana is expected to take delivery of a new, dedicated presidential aircraft—a Falcon 6X—by November 2026.
Fleet Modernization: The acquisition is part of a broader retooling program that also includes four multipurpose helicopters (one H160 and three H175) from Airbus Helicopters.
End of Private Reliance: Dr. Mahama assured that once these assets are operational, the state will rely fully on its own platforms, eliminating the need for temporary arrangements involving private assets.
The "Conflict of Interest" Debate
The Secretary's response follows sharp criticism from the Minority in Parliament and policy think tanks like IMANI Africa:
The Minority's Stance: The Walewale MP and others have argued that using a family member's aircraft, even if "free," could violate the government's Code of Conduct and create a perception of favoritism.
The "Dead Goat" Warning: IMANI founder Franklin Cudjoe urged the President to provide clear economic justification for the choice, warning that mixed signals could damage the administration's "Reset Agenda".
Read also: Muntaka Reassures Public Over Vacant Defence Ministry
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