If Mahama Rented a Private Jet, Must Okudzeto Ablakwa Pen His Resignation? Activist Speaks
- An old video of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa promising to resign if President John Mahama ever used a private plane instead of the designated presidential jet has gone viral after the Head of State's recent trip
- NPP MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah estimated Mahama’s private jet trip could cost about $690,000, sparking public debate on wasteful spending
- NPP communicator Manuel Darko accused Ablakwa of inconsistency and playing politics, stressing that politicians must be held accountable for their own words
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who serves as the Foreign Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency, is trending after President John Dramani Mahama departed for an official trip to Japan and Singapore, reportedly using a rented private jet.
Source: Facebook
This development has placed Okudzeto Ablakwa in hot water after an old video resurfaced showing him, during the NDC’s time in opposition, claiming he would resign if John Mahama ever chartered a private jet for official trips instead of using the designated presidential jet.
Ablakwa made this statement when concerns were raised that former President Akufo-Addo was taking trips with private jets, which were rented while the presidential jet was left unused, sparking questions on why it was not being utilised to save on costs.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Burning Issues in 2022, while discussing the cost and effect of private jet rentals on the public purse, Ablakwa stated:
“If Mahama comes into power and uses a private jet, I will resign. What I’m saying is about principle and not something personal, and I have resigned in a similar situation with the appointment committee in parliament.”
The statement resurfaced online following President Mahama’s recent trip to Japan and Singapore. The Head of State is reportedly said to have travelled via a chartered private plane.
Watch the video of Okudzeto Ablakwa's statements below:
Ekow Assafuah unpacks private presidential jet cost
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the MP for Old Tafo constituency under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has reacted to Mahama’s trip by breaking down the cost.
Taking to his official social media platforms, he wrote:
“This private jet, M-BAEP, left Accra this morning around 7 a.m. It is estimated to cost $15,000 per hour to rent this flight. A simple calculation shows that the 7-hour journey already covered amounts to $105,000.”
“If the flight proceeds to Japan, which is likely to take about 12 hours, that would be another $180,000. If it then continues to Singapore, approximately 7 hours away, that would add another $105,000. Finally, if the jet flies directly to Germany and then back to Accra, a total of about 20 hours return trip, that would add another $300,000. Altogether, the cost comes to an incredible $690,000 without including waiting times and/or stopovers.”
Opposition party members and social media users have begun reminding Ablakwa of his own words, pushing for his resignation as he vowed.
Politicians react to Mahama's private jet saga
Source: Facebook
The ongoing debate prompted YEN.com.gh to contact a highly influential politician and NPP communicator, PR, marketer, MC, and political activist, Manuel Darko, for his take on the private jet saga.
When Manuel Darko was questioned on his general reaction to Mahama’s use of a private jet, considering the NDC’s past criticisms, he responded:
“I find it rather unfortunate considering what they said about the rental of private jets while in opposition, only to turn around and do the exact thing they condemned.”
Darko stressed that Ablakwa was not living up to his words but rather made those statements just to score political points.
When asked how he interprets Ablakwa’s resurfaced statements in light of current events, Darko replied:
”Ablakwa’s comments and his present attitude clearly expose him as inconsistent and shameless. It is evident he does not have the nation’s interest at heart but was merely pursuing political points.”
YEN.com.gh asked Manuel Darko whether politicians should be held accountable to vows like that of Ablakwa’s, and he responded:
“Indeed, politicians must be held accountable for every statement they make.”
When asked if this controversy could shape the NPP’s narrative heading into 2024, he added:
“Certainly, we remain mindful of our words and will continue to maintain that approach.”
Finally, when asked whether Ablakwa should resign, he said:
“If he has a little integrity left, he would resign, but I know he values his position than his integrity, so he won’t.”
As the debate rages on, different reports claim that President Mahama travelled to Japan on a normal Emirates Airlines flight, which vindicates him from the scrutiny being directed his way mainly from opposition members. However, this is yet to be conclusively verified.
Severe defects ground Ghana’s presidential jet
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana’s presidential jet has been grounded in France since March 11, 2025, after technicians found severe corrosion in its fuel tanks and engine parts during routine inspection.
One engine required full replacement, and fuel tank contamination posed a serious safety risk. Deferred defects from past operations also needed major repairs.
The jet, first expected back in March, has faced repeated delays.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
