Concerns over the aircraft used for presidential travel have brought renewed attention to Ghana’s limited state aviation capacity, with the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, acknowledging that the country’s current arrangements remain a work in progress.
In an opinion piece addressing the ongoing public debate, Dr Mahama said the discussion was sparked by reports that the president had used a private aircraft owned by the brother of John Dramani Mahama for some official travel engagements.
The development has generated questions among sections of the public about whether such an arrangement could create the perception of a conflict of interest.
Dr Mahama noted that public scrutiny of decisions taken by those in authority is both expected and healthy in a democratic system.
“The most frequently expressed concern is whether such an arrangement could give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest,” he wrote, stressing that citizens have a legitimate right to question the conduct of public officials.
However, he explained that presidential travel involves complex logistical and security considerations that are often not visible to the public.
According to him, a sitting president must travel with specialised communication systems, security protocols and support teams to ensure that the head of state can continue to function fully as the executive authority even while outside Accra.
He also pointed out that some aircraft historically used for government travel were not originally designed for long-range diplomatic missions, while others face operational limitations.
As a result, Dr Mahama said commercial flights—sometimes suggested as an alternative—are not always practical for presidential travel, particularly for international engagements that require strict security and logistical coordination.
Despite the practical challenges, he acknowledged that public perception remains an important factor in governance.
“Even when a practical solution exists, leadership must remain attentive to how the public understands it,” he stated.
Dr Mahama added that the government is working to strengthen the country’s presidential air transport capability as part of a broader effort to retool the Ghana Armed Forces.
He disclosed that additional aircraft are expected to join the presidential fleet later this year, including one specifically dedicated to presidential travel.
According to him, the move will enable the country to rely fully on state-owned aviation assets for official travel in the future.
The debate over the aircraft, he said, reflects wider public expectations for transparency, accountability and prudence in the management of public resources.
