The Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, The Most Rev. Prof Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, has called for discernment in leadership as public debate continues over President John Dramani Mahama’s use of a private jet belonging to his brother Ibrahim Mahama for official international travel.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page, the Presiding Bishop reflected on the ongoing discussion and urged leaders to exercise wisdom when making difficult decisions.
Quoting the Bible, he wrote: “All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23).
According to The Most Rev. Prof Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, the passage highlights the need for careful judgment in leadership, especially during complex situations that attract strong public opinion.
“Anytime I read a commentary on it, Paul’s words as quoted above come to mind,” the Presiding Bishop stated, while reflecting on the growing public discussion.
The debate centres on President John Dramani Mahama’s recent foreign travels using a private jet owned by his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama. The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the circumstances under which the aircraft was used and the possible cost implications for the state.
Members of the Minority on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee say Parliament must be given clear information about the procedures governing presidential travel. They argue that transparency is needed regarding how decisions are made on the choice of aircraft, the composition of official delegations, and the funding arrangements for such trips.
The Deputy Ranking Member on the committee and Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said he and fellow legislator Vincent Ekow Assafuah have formally filed a parliamentary question directed at the Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs.
According to Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the Minority has compiled records of all the President’s officially communicated foreign travels and is seeking explanations about the criteria used for selecting the mode of travel, the composition of the presidential delegation, and how the trips are funded.
The Minority says it will determine its official position after the ministers appear before Parliament to provide the requested explanations.
Meanwhile, the debate has also attracted voices from civil society. Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has called on President Mahama to publicly explain his repeated use of the private jet instead of the official presidential aircraft, the Dassault Falcon 900EX.
The use of the aircraft prompted questions about security, public perception, and consistency, especially after the President recently flew on a commercial flight that was publicly shared and praised. Franklin Cudjoe raised concerns that relying on the private jet sends conflicting signals at a time when government directives restrict overseas travel to reduce public spending.
However, amid controversy over President John Dramani Mahama’s use of his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet, the government clarified that it only covers operational costs such as fuel and landing fees, while all maintenance and staffing remain the owner’s responsibility. Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the arrangement saves public funds compared with chartering a commercial aircraft, which would incur both rental and operational expenses. Despite the explanation, citizens and observers are seeking more details, arguing that it does not fully address concerns about security, ethics, and transparency, and believe there may be additional aspects to the arrangement.
As public debate continues, the Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, The Most Rev. Prof Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, has urged leaders to approach such matters with discernment and integrity.
“Leadership is a tough endeavour, whichever way one looks at it,” the Presiding Bishop wrote, adding a caution to those in authority: “If you are a leader, guard against patronage.”
His comments have added a moral voice to the national conversation, as Ghanaians continue to share differing views on the issue, some supporting the call for parliamentary scrutiny, while others believe the matter should be considered within the broader responsibilities and security demands of presidential travel.
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