On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the NPP Minority in Parliament announced its decision to formally petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet owned by his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official international travel.
The controversy has intensified following the President’s recent high-profile trips to South Korea, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, which were reportedly conducted using the private aircraft rather than the official Presidential jet.
The Case for "Conflict of Interest"
The Minority, led by Dr. Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama (MP for Walewale) and Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, argues that the arrangement is a "palpable breach" of the Code of Conduct for public officials:
Conflict of Interest: Critics claim the President is accepting a "gift" from a relative whose business interests span mining, construction, and agriculture—sectors heavily regulated by the state.
Quid Pro Quo Concerns: Ibrahim Adjei, Resident Country Director of International Investments LLC, warned that "nothing is truly free in politics," suggesting the arrangement could create a perception of future favors for the President's brother.
Abandoning State Assets: The Minority questioned why the government is bypassing the official Falcon 900EX EASy, which returned from an eight-month maintenance cycle in Europe in November 2025.
The Government's "Cost-Saving" Defense
The Presidency, through Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed the allegations as "political mischief":
Zero Rental Cost: The government maintains that it does not rent the aircraft. The state only covers the cost of fuel and landing charges, while the owner bears the costs for the pilot, crew, and maintenance.
Taxpayer Savings: Ofosu argued that the arrangement saves the country roughly $18,000 per hour compared to the market rate for chartering a similar private jet.
Safety Concerns: The government claims the state's Falcon jet has "broken down a number of times," raising safety and reliability issues that necessitate temporary alternatives.
Timeline of the Jet Controversy (March 2026)
| Date | Event | Key Action |
| March 12 | Initial Accusation | Walewale MP Kabiru Mahama alleges a breach of the Code of Conduct. |
| March 13 | Parliamentary Question | Minority files a formal question seeking details on travel costs since 2025. |
| March 16 | Stakeholder React | IMANI Africa’s Franklin Cudjoe calls for a public justification of the travel policy. |
| March 26 | CHRAJ Petition | Minority officially moves to petition CHRAJ for an independent probe. |
"If the President’s security and travel should be above partisan considerations, then taxpayers should pay for him to charter a jet rather than using his brother’s, because the conflict of interest is too much." — Ibrahim Adjei, March 16, 2026.
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