President Flew Commercial, Not Private Jet
Citi News confirmed President John Mahama traveled to Japan on August 17, 2025, via Emirates flight EK318, transiting through Dubai, not a private jet as alleged by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah. The MP claimed a $690,000 private jet (M-BAEP) was used, but flight records show Mahama arrived in Tokyo at 5:43 p.m. local time.
Mahama, attending TICAD IX in Yokohama from August 20–22, departed Accra after a thanksgiving service for the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah. He will speak on trade and investment, joined by a delegation to promote Ghana’s Resetting Ghana agenda and African development.
Ghana’s Embassy and Japanese officials welcomed Mahama, who will also meet Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and JICA representatives. The trip aims to boost $2.1 billion in trade with Japan, focusing on infrastructure and technology partnerships, per TICAD’s framework.
Assafuah’s claims, debunked via FlightAware data, sparked debate on X, with 5,000 engagements. The clarification aligns with Mahama’s push for transparency, countering misinformation about government expenditure during Ghana’s economic recovery efforts.
TICAD IX, co-hosted by Japan, the UN, UNDP, World Bank, and AUC, has driven $20 billion in African development since 1993. Mahama’s commercial travel underscores fiscal responsibility amid Ghana’s 5.7% inflation rate.