Blows over Ibrahim Mahama’s new jet

Fresh public debate has erupted over the private jet owned by Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama, a development that has once again drawn political attention to the travel arrangements of his brother, President John Dramani Mahama.

The issue, which has periodically surfaced in the political discourse for years, intensified recently following news of the businessman’s acquisition of a new luxury jet and his subsequent decision to convert his former aircraft into an emergency air ambulance.

The controversy largely stems from longstanding criticism by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have previously questioned the use of Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet for trips undertaken by John Mahama during his tenure in office and at various times afterward.

Critics argue that such arrangements raise concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest when a sitting or former head of state uses a private asset belonging to a close family member.

One aircraft frequently mentioned in the debate is the businessman’s former Bombardier Challenger 604 jet, popularly known as the “Dzata” aircraft. The jet had been part of Ibrahim Mahama’s private aviation fleet for several years and became widely recognised after it was reported to have been used for a number of high-profile trips involving the former president and other prominent figures in Ghana.

Some members of the NPP, including the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, have alleged that chartering private jets for official travel can impose significant financial burdens on the state.

According to such claims, chartered flights could cost between $15,000 and $17,000 per hour, raising questions about the overall cost of presidential travel.

However, supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have consistently rejected those assertions. They argue that the use of Ibrahim Mahama’s aircraft did not cost the Ghanaian taxpayer and, in some instances, actually represented a cost-saving alternative to chartering private jets from commercial operators.

The debate has also been coloured by broader partisan rivalry between the two major political parties. During the administration of the NPP government, the NDC criticised the use of chartered aircraft for official presidential travel, while the NPP has, in turn, raised questions about the propriety of the former president flying in a jet owned by his brother.

At various points, additional claims have further complicated the narrative. Some reports suggested that the official presidential jet had been sabotaged or rendered unavailable, forcing the use of alternative aircraft for certain trips.

Meanwhile, there have also been instances where the president travelled using commercial airlines. In one such case reported in 2025, John Mahama was said to have flown on a commercial flight operated by Emirates instead of using a private jet, despite continued criticism from political opponents.

The issue returned to the spotlight following reports that Ibrahim Mahama had acquired a new private aircraft, a Bombardier Global 6500, an ultra-long-range jet capable of flying approximately 6,600 nautical miles non-stop. The aircraft, reportedly worth about $70million, quickly attracted widespread public attention after images and videos of the jet circulated online.

Amid the public discussion surrounding the acquisition, Ibrahim Mahama disclosed that his previous aircraft — the widely known “Dzata” jet — had been repurposed for public service. According to the businessman, the aircraft has now been converted into an emergency air ambulance intended to support critically ill or injured patients across Ghana.

“My old plane is now an air ambulance for every Ghanaian,” he said in a video shared on social media, adding that the service was meant to benefit the wider public rather than remain part of his personal fleet.

Air ambulance services are typically used to transport patients who require urgent medical attention that cannot be adequately delivered through ground transportation. Such services are especially crucial for severe trauma cases, complex medical emergencies, or rapid inter-regional transfers where time is critical.

Despite the announcement, details about how the service will operate remain unclear. It is not yet known whether the aircraft will function in partnership with the Ghana National Ambulance Service, private hospitals, or other emergency response agencies, nor has any operational framework been publicly outlined.

The development comes at a time when Ghana is seeking to strengthen its emergency healthcare response system. Authorities have recently outlined plans to procure hundreds of additional ground ambulances and medical motorbikes to improve pre-hospital care nationwide.

For now, the aircraft that once symbolised a political controversy has taken on a new role, even as discussions continue over transparency, presidential travel, and the intersection of private wealth and public service in the political landscape.