By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for GhanaianNewsCanada
Kofi Bentil, lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, has slammed President John Dramani Mahama for using a private aircraft owned by his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official international travel.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, March 14, Bentil described the practice as “very wrong” and raised serious ethical and security concerns.
He stressed that official state travel is not just about comfort but about maintaining the dignity of the presidency and the nation. “It affects the morale of the people when their leader uses a privately-owned jet rather than one provided and maintained by the state,” he said.
Bentil also warned of potential security risks, noting that privately-owned aircraft may not be monitored under strict state supervision. “If the president travels on his brother’s jet, there is a risk that a listening device could be planted, putting the security of the state at risk,” he added.
While some may argue the move saves costs, Bentil dismissed this reasoning as insufficient. He suggested that the government should charter a plane if state jets are unavailable rather than rely on private aircraft.
Commentary:
From a journalistic standpoint, this situation raises serious questions about transparency, governance, and the perception of favoritism. Citizens naturally expect the head of state to maintain not just security but also ethical distance from private family interests. The optics of a president flying on a sibling’s jet, even for official work, can easily erode public trust.
From a public relations perspective, this is a reputational risk that could have been mitigated with clear communication. Explaining the rationale, emphasizing state-approved security protocols, or publicly documenting the arrangements would have reassured citizens. Without such measures, critics are likely to interpret this as blurring the line between private business and state power.
Ultimately, while cost-efficiency is important, it cannot come at the expense of ethics, security, or public confidence. Leaders must not only act rightly but also be seen to act rightly. The presidency should take note.
