The government has moved to clarify the financial arrangements surrounding President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet belonging to his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official foreign trips.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communications, confirmed that the state does not pay any leasing or maintenance fees for the aircraft, widely known as the “Dzata” jet. Instead, the government covers only the immediate operational costs incurred during the President’s travel.
“When the President uses this aircraft, he does not rent it. He only fuels it,” Kwakye Ofosu explained during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Thursday.
He noted that because the owner, Ibrahim Mahama, retains responsibility for the crew, servicing, and upkeep, the state avoids the hefty daily charter rates that would apply if the aircraft were hired on the open market.
“If we were to rent on the open market, the government would pay rental charges plus fuel and other operational costs. By not doing so, the President is saving public funds,” he added.
The clarification comes amid growing public discourse following the President’s recent departure to South Korea aboard the private jet rather than Ghana’s official presidential aircraft, the Dassault Falcon 900EX.
While the government frames the move as a cost-saving measure, it has sparked mixed reactions online and in political circles.
The Minority in Parliament and policy think tank IMANI Africa have raised concerns over the optics and ethics of the arrangement. Questions have been posed regarding security protocols and whether the practice aligns with guidelines intended to prevent conflicts of interest among public officials.
Conversely, some argue that utilizing a readily available private jet is pragmatic, especially amid lingering questions about the operational readiness and maintenance history of the state’s current fleet.
During the interview, Kwakye Ofosu also provided an update on efforts to acquire new state aircraft. He disclosed that a new presidential jet is currently under production, though a specific delivery date remains unconfirmed.
“It has to be manufactured, and the process is ongoing. When it is ready, it will come, just like the first helicopter,” he stated.
For now, the “Dzata” jet remains a central topic in discussions about government expenditure and presidential travel protocols.
