The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, for official travel, warning that the arrangement could create conflicts of interest and hidden costs for the state.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Nana Asafo-Adjei argued that the practice risks creating what he described as a “false sense of free,” questioning claims that the President’s use of the aircraft comes at no cost to the nation.
His remarks come after the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, clarified that the government does not pay maintenance or servicing costs for the jet.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that responsibility for maintaining the aircraft, including payment of the pilot and other crew members, rests solely with its owner, while the state only covers operational expenses such as fuel and landing charges when the President uses the jet for official travel.
However, Nana Asafo-Adjei questioned the claim that the arrangement imposes no financial burden on the state.
“You said President Mahama is traveling with his brother’s jet, which is at no cost to the nation? Have you ever heard anything like free lunch before?” he asked.
“You tell your ministers not to receive gifts in any form or shape from anybody. Yet you are taking a jet from your brother. What then is the basis for telling your appointees not to receive gifts?”
He further argued that accepting such an arrangement could create expectations of favours in return.
“Because when a contractor today gives you a gift, tomorrow he takes it from somewhere else. When Ibrahim Mahama, who is a businessman, gives his jet for his brother to travel, tomorrow, he will be given a contract. He will be given concessions, a whole Black Volta could be given to him,” he said.
“This is the price we are paying as a country. If you are telling me today that it is for free, you are telling yourself a lie. It can never be for free,” Nana Asafo-Adjei added.
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