Nat’l Tymes News Desk
A STRONG political debate has erupted over President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet owned by his younger brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, for official trips abroad.
Political activist Hajia Rashidatu Mahama Affainie has fired back at critics from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing their attacks as “pure hypocrisy.” She maintains that the criticism is coming from individuals linked to what she describes as eight years of economic mismanagement under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mahamudu Bawumia.
In an interview with Nationaltymes.com in Accra, Hajia Rashidatu defended the President’s decision, stressing that the arrangement is both practical and cost-effective. She noted that chartering a private jet could cost the country about $18,000 per hour over extended periods, a burden she believes is avoidable.
She argued that such expensive charter arrangements were common under the Akufo-Addo–Bawumia administration, placing significant pressure on taxpayers. In contrast, she said the current setup requires the state to cover mainly fuel costs, thereby reducing the financial burden on Ghanaians.
She also highlighted what she described as Ibrahim Mahama’s consistent support for national development, including making a private jet available to the state in recent weeks.
“The gesture reflects patriotism and commitment to Ghana’s progress,” she said. “Today they are shouting from the rooftops about the President using his brother’s jet. Yet when the same person supported the state with his resources, they kept quiet. This is pure political hypocrisy.”
Hajia Rashidatu further pointed to dredging works around the Odaw Lagoon in Accra, undertaken with support from Ibrahim Mahama to curb flooding and protect lives and property. She recalled that the initiative was heavily criticised by sections of the NPP at the time.
She contrasted this with a similar project executed under former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah during the NPP administration, which she indicates cost over $40 million but failed to resolve the flooding problem.
The activist also referenced major controversies that trailed the previous government, including the Power Distribution Services deal and the Strategic Mobilisation Limited deal, both of which sparked widespread concerns over transparency and accountability.
She insisted that while the Mahama family is being criticised for supporting the state, individuals linked to the previous administration were associated with deals that allegedly drained public resources.
Hajia Rashidatu Mahama Affainie further accused the NPP of resorting to propaganda in an attempt to remain politically relevant, stressing that the current administration remains focused on rebuilding the economy and addressing challenges inherited from the previous government.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
