The Presidency has addressed public concerns surrounding the use of a private aircraft belonging to the brother of John Dramani Mahama for official travel, stating that the arrangement was driven by practical considerations while the country works to strengthen its state aviation capacity.
In a statement reflecting on the issue, the Executive Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, acknowledged that questions raised by citizens about the arrangement were legitimate and important in a democratic society.
According to him, public scrutiny of government decisions is essential to maintaining accountability and trust in public institutions.
“In a democratic society, citizens are not only entitled to ask such questions; they are duty-bound to do so,” he noted, adding that concerns about potential conflicts of interest should be addressed through reflection rather than dismissal.
The issue has generated discussion in recent days, with some members of the public questioning whether the use of an aircraft linked to the President’s family could create perceptions of a conflict of interest.
Mr. Mahama explained that presidential travel involves complex logistical, security and operational considerations that go beyond ordinary travel arrangements. These include strict security protocols, diplomatic scheduling, communication requirements and the need for the Head of State to remain fully operational while traveling.
He indicated that Ghana’s current state aircraft face certain operational limitations, which sometimes make them unsuitable for long-range diplomatic missions or tightly scheduled international engagements.
As a result, authorities occasionally have to consider alternative travel arrangements to ensure the President can safely and efficiently carry out official duties.
The Presidency also noted that commercial travel is not always feasible for a sitting Head of State because of security concerns and logistical constraints that could disrupt official work during transit.
Despite these practical considerations, Mr. Mahama acknowledged that public perception remains an important factor in governance.
“Leadership must remain attentive to how the public understands such decisions,” he said, stressing that rebuilding trust in public institutions remains a central part of the government’s agenda.
The Executive Secretary said the President is aware of the expectations placed on his administration, particularly under what he described as the government’s “Reset Agenda,” which aims to restore public confidence in leadership and governance.
According to him, steps are already underway to strengthen Ghana’s presidential air transport capability through improvements within the Ghana Armed Forces.
He revealed that by November this year, additional aircraft are expected to be added to the country’s presidential fleet, including one dedicated to presidential travel.
Once operational, the aircraft will allow Ghana to rely fully on state-owned aviation assets for the safe and efficient transportation of the President.
Mr. Mahama said the move forms part of broader efforts to re-equip and modernize national institutions, including those responsible for state aviation and security operations.
He also emphasized that discussions about the cost of governance, including presidential travel, are regularly held within government, especially at a time when many citizens are facing economic pressures.
According to him, the administration remains committed to exercising restraint in the use of public resources while gradually rebuilding institutional capacity.
“The Reset Agenda must ultimately be judged not by slogans but by steady institutional improvement,” he stated.
He added that the ongoing public conversation about presidential travel reflects a healthy democratic culture in which citizens remain engaged with the decisions of those in leadership.
The Presidency expressed confidence that once the new aircraft enter service later this year, Ghana will have a more stable and self-reliant system for presidential travel.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
