The government has clarified that it does not bear the cost of maintaining the private jet belonging to businessman Ibrahim Mahama, which is sometimes used by President John Dramani Mahama for official international travel.

The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the state only covers operational expenses such as fuel and landing charges when the aircraft is deployed for presidential trips, while all maintenance-related obligations remain the responsibility of its owner.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Thursday, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the arrangement allows the government to cut down on the significant costs typically associated with chartering aircraft for presidential travel.

“The President does not rent the aircraft; he only fuels it. The aircraft belongs to somebody, so the owner retains the services of the pilot and other personnel who work on it,” he said.

According to him, hiring a jet on the open market would require the government to pay rental charges in addition to meeting fuel and other operational costs for the duration of the trip.

“When the President rents an aircraft, apart from paying the rent, he would also have to cover fuel and all the costs associated with maintaining that aircraft during the time he is using it. By not doing so, the President is saving public funds,” he explained.

The explanation follows renewed public discussion over the President’s use of the private aircraft owned by his brother Ibrahim Mahama and branded “Dzata”, for official journeys abroad.

The debate intensified after the President departed for a state visit to South Korea aboard the jet instead of Ghana’s official presidential aircraft, the Dassault Falcon 900EX.

Some members of the public and the Minority in Parliament, as well as policy think tank IMANI Africa, have questioned the appropriateness of the arrangement, raising concerns about both security considerations and the optics of a president travelling in a jet owned by a close relative.

Critics have also suggested that the practice could conflict with ethical guidelines governing the conduct of public officials.

Supporters of the arrangement, however, argue that using the aircraft may offer a practical and cost-saving alternative, particularly in light of concerns about the operational readiness of the country’s official presidential jet.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also disclosed that the government is expecting a new presidential aircraft currently under production, although a delivery timeline has not yet been confirmed.

“I am not aware of a specific timeline, but I do not anticipate that it will be too long. As and when it is ready, it will come. This is because it has to be manufactured, and the process is ongoing, so when the process is completed, it will come, just like the first helicopter,” he said.