The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has expressed interest in receiving clarification about the cost of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent travels aboard his brother, Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet.
In response to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson of the Office of the President’s statement that the president’s travels on his brother’s private jet were at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, Cudjoe raised a question about whether the travel expenses were officially classified as a gift to the state.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 19, 2025, Cudjoe further questioned whether Ibrahim Mahama’s generosity had been formally declared, pointing out his position as a private citizen offering his property for state use.
“Can Hon. Kwakye Ofosu tell us if the cost of this visit was classified as a gift to the state and declared, given that the president’s brother is a private citizen?” he posted.
Cudjoe’s questions aim to clarify the motive behind Ibrahim Mahama’s generosity to the country.
He referenced the case of Ken Ofori-Atta, a former finance minister under the New Patriotic Party-led government, who publicly declared his decision to forgo his monthly stipends, but subsequently utilized alternative methods to generate income.
“As you are well aware, not long ago, a finance minister under the recently overwhelmingly retired NPP government told us he was not receiving salary, we believed him and look where it ended us- a debt iceberg, ‘pickpocketing’ miserly savings of innocent and defenceless citizens in the name of debt exchange and the coup de grâce, junk-rated economy,” he added.
His comments follow Kwakye Ofosu’s statement that the president’s use of the Dzata private jet is free of cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer.
There had been widespread speculation on social media regarding President Mahama’s recent travel on the private jet owned by his businessman brother, Ibrahim Mahama, to The Gambia.
Some individuals have mentioned significant amounts of money, suggesting that the Ghanaian taxpayer would bear the cost of the president’s flight to the West African country.
However, speaking to TV3, the president’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasised that no money has been paid for the president’s use of the jet, as his brother provided it free of charge.
“This alternative arrangement has not, in any way, shape, or form, cost the Ghanaian taxpayer a dime. President Mahama is mindful of the precarious economic situation we are in and, therefore, is committed to utilizing public funds in the most prudent way. He is not about to spend millions of Ghanaian cedis, as was the case under the previous government, to rent expensive aircraft.
“This aircraft has been available to him since his days in opposition, and he has used it. In fact, some of his visits immediately after his election as president in December 2024 were made using this jet. It has not led to any cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer. President Mahama is committed to using the presidential jet as soon as he receives the all-clear from the Communications Squadron of the Ghana Air Force,” he explained.
Read his full post below:
