Stan Xoese Dogbe, Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for operations, has dismissed allegations made by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding President John Dramani Mahama’s recent official trip to Japan.
Dogbe clarified that contrary to the NPP’s claims, President Mahama traveled on a commercial flight rather than a privately rented presidential jet.
Speaking via his official Facebook page, Dogbe specifically addressed former NPP presidential staffer and activist Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, urging him to counsel his “hungry brothers” who are reportedly engaged in spreading misinformation to gain attention.
Dogbe stated, “Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, I have seen some of your hungry brothers, trying hard to ‘catch the eye’. Tell them I said, that’s not how to be relevant or help their candidate.”
He further explained that President Mahama departed from Accra’s Kotoka International Airport onboard a commercial airline, accompanied by a delegation that included “right-thinking Ghanaians.”
Dogbe emphasized the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence, noting that if the president’s travel required a chartered aircraft, the state would consider it, but only if it offered cost-effective savings similar to the use of his brother’s private Dzata aircraft, which has already saved the government significant expenses.
Again, Dogbe appealed to the opposition to cease unnecessary provocations involving the former President Akufo-Addo, stating, “Tell them to let President Akufo-Addo enjoy his retirement and stop drawing him needlessly into their candidate’s comatose campaign.”
Background:
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Government Spokesperson, announced that President John Dramani Mahama embarked on a two-nation official visit to Japan and Singapore on August 17, 2025.
The purpose of the trip is to strengthen bilateral relations and attract investments to Ghana under the “Resetting Ghana” agenda.
In Japan, President Mahama is set to participate in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX), delivering a plenary speech focused on promoting trade and investment. He will also take part in the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum, highlighting Ghana’s investment opportunities. The President is expected to hold bilateral meetings with key Japanese partners, including the Prime Minister of Japan, senior officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), to discuss cooperation in infrastructure, trade, technical support, and investment.
Following his engagements in Japan, the President will undertake a three-day state visit to Singapore, where he will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. There, he will engage in the Africa-Singapore Business Forum and deliver an address at an investment forum aimed at strengthening private-sector linkages between Ghana and Singaporean investors.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
