Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Kenya to attend a high-level African Union (AU) retreat on institutional reforms.
The meeting, hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto from January 27-28, will focus on sustainable financing and restructuring AU operations.
President Mahama is expected to share his leadership insights and reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to the AU agenda.
Unlike previous trips to other African countries where he traveled on his brother’s private jet, Mahama used Ghana’s presidential jet for this journey.
His use of the private jet in the past had sparked public debate, with many questioning the practice.
Explanation from the Presidency
Felix Ofosu Kwakye, the acting spokesperson for the president, had previously defended the use of the private jet, stating that it incurred no cost to the state.
He explained that the decision was necessary due to delays in receiving a report from the Ghana Air Force on the state of the presidential jet.
“The president, as Commander of the Ghana Armed Forces, requested a detailed report on the state of the Communications Squadron and the aircraft under its control. Pending that report, he traveled using his brother’s private jet,” Kwakye stated.
Opposition Counterclaims
However, Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah contested this explanation, asserting that the transition team’s report indicated the presidential jet was serviceable and fit for use.
He questioned why the aircraft was not utilized earlier for official travel.