Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for using his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet for official travels, accusing him of sending conflicting signals on fiscal responsibility and adherence to public office conduct.
In a post on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Cudjoe questioned the President’s decision to travel on the private jet without providing economic justification, especially after directing his appointees to justify all travels and previously flying commercial flights that drew public praise.
“Mr. President, with due respect, you cannot be asking your appointees not to travel without providing economic justification and then you jump on your brother’s plane without providing us reasons why you think it is the only safe, available and cheaper airline,” Cudjoe wrote.
He referenced the President’s recent commercial flight, where communications shared videos that earned applause, contrasting it with the current use of the private jet.
“You recently flew commercial and your communications team happily shared videos. We all applauded. Seriously this sends conflicting signals about your own fidelity to the public code of conduct for public office,” he added.
Franklin Cudjoe noted that this marks the second time reports have emerged about the President using Ibrahim Mahama’s aircraft, warning that it risks reviving perceptions of the “dead goat syndrome”, a term associated with former President Mahama’s earlier tenure, implying indifference to public criticism.
“This is the second time I have heard about using Mr. Ibrahim Mahama’s plane and you may be earning back your own ‘dead goat’ syndrome, which was last rejected by many. Please stop,” he urged.
The criticism follows President Mahama’s recent trip to South Korea for official engagements, including the commissioning of an LPG vessel, where he was seen arriving aboard the private jet. The state’s presidential aircraft, the Dassault Falcon 900EX-Easy, reportedly lacks the range for non-stop long-haul flights like to South Korea, necessitating alternatives or stops.