Kofi Amankwa-Manu Accuses President of Hypocrisy Over Luxury Jet Rentals | Discuss Ghana

In a scathing critique of the current administration’s travel choices, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwawonma and former Deputy Defence Minister, Hon. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has slammed President John Dramani Mahama for his refusal to use the state's official presidential jet. Speaking on Monday, April 20, 2026, Amankwa-Manu described the President’s preference for chartered luxury flights as a display of "hypocrisy and dishonesty."

The lawmaker argued that while the President preaches "Resetting Ghana" and fiscal discipline, his personal travel habits suggest a prioritisation of comfort over the economic struggles of the Ghanaian people. "The President’s refusal to use the presidential jet smacks of hypocrisy," Amankwa-Manu stated, noting that the state-owned Falcon 900 EXE is fully operational and airworthy.

The "Meat and Juice" of the Travel Controversy

The Presidential Jet Status: Despite being refurbished and certified fit for flight, the official presidential jet has reportedly remained largely grounded for executive travel, with the Presidency opting for chartered aircraft for several recent international trips.

Luxury vs. Crisis: Hon. Amankwa-Manu highlighted that the cost of a single chartered flight—often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars—could fund multiple primary healthcare kiosks or fix several broken water pumping stations in rural areas.

A Shift in Stance: The MP noted the irony in the current administration’s position, pointing out that in the past, members of the now-governing party were the most vocal critics of high-cost presidential travel.

The "Big Push" Contradiction: "You cannot talk about a 'Big Push' for infrastructure and then push millions into the pockets of foreign private jet companies," the MP added during his address.

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Comparison: Presidential Travel Costs (April 2026 Estimates)

Travel Option	Estimated Cost (Per Long-Haul Trip)	National Impact Equivalent
Official Presidential Jet	Operational fuel + Maintenance	Minimal incremental cost to the state.
Chartered Luxury Jet	$350,000 – $600,000	Can build ~2 Community Health Clinics.
Commercial First Class	$15,000 – $25,000	Highly economical, though rarely used for security reasons.

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Key Takeaways from Kofi Amankwa-Manu’s Briefing

Call for Transparency: The MP called on the Auditor-General to publish a full breakdown of the Presidency's travel expenses for the first quarter of 2026.

The "Safety" Argument: He dismissed claims that the official jet is "unsafe," asserting that the Ghana Air Force has maintained the aircraft to international standards and that foreign heads of state have even used it in the past.

Moral Authority: Amankwa-Manu warned that the President risks losing the moral authority to ask Ghanaians to sacrifice during the ongoing debt restructuring if he does not lead by example.