There is a need to clearly differentiate between state government policy and private business, as the roles of both can sometimes overlap in ensuring good governance and national development.
According to Emmanuel Wilson Jnr., Chief Crusader of Crusaders Against Corruption, the role of the President as the first statesman of the country makes the safety and security of the state paramount. However, he argued that the role of Ibrahim Mahama as a private businessman does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest. Rather, it may only create a perception of corruption, even though there is no evidence of any corrupt act.
Mr Wilson made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He explained that the interest and safety of the state must always come first, but the involvement of a private businessman in providing services does not automatically amount to corruption, especially when the scope of that business does not directly conflict with the official responsibilities of the President.
In another development, the Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance Ghana, Joe Jackson, stated that there is nothing inherently wrong with the President using his brother’s private jet for official travel. However, he emphasised that such an arrangement must be transparent.
Mr Jackson made the comments amid ongoing public debate about whether the President should instead have used the state’s presidential jet.
He noted that while private resources may sometimes be used for convenience, it is essential for the presidency or government to ensure that any such arrangement is properly documented and openly communicated to maintain public trust.
“If I am the CEO of Dalex, it doesn’t mean my brother cannot provide certain services,” Mr Jackson said. “However, that decision should not be taken by me alone. It must be handled in a thoroughly transparent manner.”
He further explained that transparency would help eliminate any appearance of a conflict of interest.
“The president’s brother can provide certain services, but the appearance of a conflict of interest can be avoided through transparency — by declaring the value of the service, the operational cost of the jet, and the nature of the services provided,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Walewale, Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has accused President John Dramani Mahama of breaching the Code of Conduct for government appointees by repeatedly using a private jet owned by his brother for official international travel.
Speaking after parliamentary proceedings, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator said the arrangement raises serious ethical concerns and creates what he described as a “palpable conflict of interest.”
The President is currently on a trip to South Korea and reportedly travelled on a private jet owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, his brother.
Dr Tiah Mahama argued that the decision contradicts standards outlined in the government’s own code of conduct for public officials.
“The potential conflict of using a private person’s jet for official trips is apparent,” he said. “And now you are not using just any private person — you are using the president’s brother. The palpable conflict of interest is there.”
According to the Walewale MP, public officials — especially the President — must avoid situations that could raise questions about ethical conduct or undue advantage.
“If a president must live beyond reproach, people should not see any semblance of unethical consideration in your behaviour,” he stated. “The fact that the president is using his brother’s aircraft puts him right at the centre of a conflict situation.”
He also recalled previous criticisms from members of the current administration when they were in opposition regarding presidential travel arrangements.
At the time, debates centred on whether Ghana’s presidential jet was serviceable and whether the government should rely on commercial flights.
“Down the line, the president is now found to be doing the very thing they spoke against,” he said.
Dr Tiah Mahama insisted that alternative options were available for the President’s travel arrangements.
“There is no reason whatsoever. Even if there was a need for him to travel, he could have used a commercial flight, even business class, to ensure comfort,” he added.
The MP is therefore calling for an immediate end to the practice, arguing that it undermines public confidence and contradicts the ethical standards expected of government officials.