Claim:
A social media post by PK Sarpong and other users alleges that President John Dramani Mahama travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a “chartered and highly luxurious private jet,” questioning how much the trip cost the state and accusing the President of abandoning a promise to fly commercial for such engagements.
Verdict: False
The Facts
Checks by the EIB Fact-Check and Research Desk show that President Mahama did not charter a private jet at the expense of the Ghanaian state for his recent trip to Dubai.
Available official information confirms that the aircraft used to ferry the President from Accra to Dubai — and onward to Lusaka, Zambia — was provided by the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The arrangement was part of diplomatic courtesies linked to the President’s participation in the World Governments Summit in Dubai and a subsequent state visit to Zambia.
No official statement or credible report supports the claim that the Government of Ghana hired or paid for a private jet for the trip.
Context and Clarification
Aircraft provided for heads of state are often VIP-configured for security and protocol reasons. However, a VIP aircraft provided by a host country does not amount to a privately chartered jet funded by the visiting state.
In international diplomatic practice, it is common for host governments to offer logistical support, including air transport, to visiting presidents and prime ministers attending major summits or undertaking coordinated state visits.
Claims of Abandoning Commercial Flights
Assertions that the President reneged on a promise to always fly commercial are misleading. Even where leaders express a preference for commercial travel, exceptions are routinely made for: State visits, Multilateral and high-level, international summits, Security and protocol requirements. These exceptions are standard and do not, on their own, indicate abuse of public resources.
Claims of $15k cost per hour
Several claims also add that the government pays $15,000 per hour for the trip. Checks by the EIB Fact-Check Desk found no evidence that Ghana paid for the aircraft used for the journey.
The available information points to the aircraft being provided by the UAE authorities, not financed by the Ghanaian state.
Conclusion
The claim that President Mahama travelled to the UAE in a chartered, highly luxurious private jet funded by Ghana is false. The aircraft was provided by the UAE leadership as part of official diplomatic arrangements. The social media posts rely on speculation and omit key facts, leading to a misleading narrative.
Bottom line: The viral claims are inaccurate and unsupported by verified evidence.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Abilla Isaac Azumah (EiB Research and Investigative Desk)
