Newly approved Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has debunked claims that President John Dramani Mahama used a private jet for his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates.
The claims were made by Dominic Nitiwul, the former Defence Minister in Parliament on January 22, sparking a debate over the cost of the President’s travel to the state.
Proceedings became chaotic, forcing the 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako to suspend the house for 30 minutes.
Upon resumption, Mr Nitiwul said, “I am saying for a fact that President Mahama rented private jet and used outside the country. Ask President Mahama himself, he will tell you that he used private jet when he was President,” he alleged.
In reaction, Dr Ato Forson dismissed the assertion, stating that he personally accompanied President Mahama on the trip to Dubai, which was made on a commercial Emirates flight.
“I travelled with President Mahama on his recent trip to the UAE, and he didn’t use a private jet. I was on the flight with him, and we used Emirates,” Dr Forson explained.
Challenging the former Defence Minister to substantiate his claim, Dr Forson insisted that evidence should be presented to back any such allegations.
“Mr Speaker, the immediate past Defence Minister claimed that the President used a rented private jet, and I challenge him to bring evidence. Now he is shifting the goal post. He is referring to the past. Because I know that President Mahama has not traveled in a private jet since he became President on 7th January, 2025” he stated emphatically.
