Okudzeto Ablakwa replies critics of President Mahama's commercial travels

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to critics regarding President John Dramani Mahama’s use of commercial flights for his travels.

Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series on September 15, 2025, the minister stated that President John Mahama has not expressed any complaints about using commercial flights for his travels.

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He refuted claims that the President spent several hours in Dubai due to his use of a commercial flight during one of his official trips to Japan and Singapore.

“President Mahama has not complained about commercial travels. I have seen some people say, ‘oh, President Mahama spent 22 hours in Dubai’ and they blame me for that.

“I saw a colleague [journalist] of yours apologising to President Mahama, that it is because of me, and that if President Mahama had his own way, he would have chartered a luxury jet but because I'm foreign minister he cannot do that,” he said during the question and answers session.

Ablakwa attributed the claims to propaganda, stating categorically that the President was not stranded at the Dubai airport, contrary to the allegation.

He urged the public to desist from spreading such misinformation.

“That is so unfair to President Mahama. That was just propaganda; it is not true. No president will be allowed to be stranded at an airport. Let us get serious and stop this childish propaganda,” he cautioned.

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President Mahama on his official visit to Japan, boarded and flew on an Emirates commercial service for his journey.

MAG/VPO

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