President John Dramani Mahama
Despite receiving praise for some policies and implementations during his early days in office, as the 6th president of the 4th, President John Dramani Mahama has also faced criticism for certain decisions made by his administration.
On two notable occasions, the president was heavily criticized, particularly by social media users, for actions they believed were inappropriate for his government.
Here are two instances where President Mahama faced a backlash:
1.Use of a private jet for official travel
Some netizens expressed concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet for state visits to Gambia and Senegal on January 17, 2025.
The president travelled on the “Dzata” private jet, an aircraft owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama. This decision sparked a backlash from certain groups of citizens.
Reacting to the news, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) at the time, users questioned the president’s decision to use a private jet instead of the official presidential aircraft.
One Twitter user wrote, “It’s surprising that the media, CSOs, and the public are silent about the president’s decision to charter a private jet at taxpayers’ expense, especially when the country already has a suitable aircraft for presidential use! Has the suffering and hardship suddenly vanished? Hm!”
Another user demanded accountability, stating, “We, the people of Ghana, demand accountability from John Dramani Mahama. Why has he abandoned the presidential jet but is using a private jet belonging to his brother for both local and international travels? Is the state paying for the jet’s fuel and maintenance?”
Another questioned, “Why did President Mahama reject the GH 001 presidential jet, despite it being in good condition, just to use another private jet?”
“Why is the president using his brother’s private jet for internal and external travels? Where is our presidential jet?” another asked.
A viral post read, “Breaking News: Fellow Ghanaians, are you aware your President—John Mahama (@JDMahama)—visited Gambia with his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet? @S_OkudzetoAblak, do you know how much we are paying?”
Another user added, “GH 001 is in pristine condition. Yet President Mahama refuses to fly it, choosing instead to charter another aircraft. Coming events do cast their shadows.”
In response, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, acting spokesperson for President Mahama, clarified the use of the Dzata private jet during his recent visits to Gambia and Senegal on January 17, 2025.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, at the time, the private jet, which belongs to Ibrahim Mahama, has been available to the president since his time in opposition, and the cost of the flight has not been borne by taxpayers.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 on January 17, 2025, he explained that the president was yet to receive a report on the state of the presidential jet from the Ghana Armed Forces, hence the alternative arrangement.
2.Revocation of appointments and recruitment
President Mahama, through his Chief of Staff, revoked several appointments and recruitments made by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government after December 7, 2024.
According to a letter issued on February 10 and sent to all heads of government institutions, the Chief of Staff directed that all such appointments and recruitments be revoked.
However, a section of the public has condemned the president’s actions.
Notable figures among those criticizing this decision include former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Minority Leader of Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
These individuals, along with social media users, have criticized the president for what they describe as the unjustified dismissal of workers.
AM/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below: