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Okudzeto Ablakwa replies critics of President Mahama's commercial travels

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 9:28 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Ghana’s Finance Minister Responds to Critics of President Mahama’s “Commercial Travel” Deal

Published: March 21 2023 – In a swift and pointed response to growing media scrutiny and political backlash, Ghana’s Minister of Finance, Okudzeto Ablakwa, set the record straight on a controversial arrangement involving former President John Dramani Mahama and a private travel company. The issue has become a flashpoint in the country’s post‑election political landscape, and Ablakwa’s remarks come amid a broader debate over the role of public officials in commercial enterprises.

The Controversy in Brief

At the heart of the controversy is a contract that President Mahama entered into with a private airline to facilitate his international travel under what critics have termed a “commercial travel” scheme. Opponents—most notably members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a number of civil society groups—argue that the arrangement was a misuse of state resources, an attempt to “commercialise” a public office, and a breach of public trust. The critics allege that the deal could have siphoned public funds into private hands and that the president’s personal business interests had interfered with his official duties.

The contract was reportedly formalised after the president’s term ended, raising questions about its legality and ethical propriety. While Mahama himself has defended the arrangement as a legitimate business venture, the lack of transparency and the potential for conflict of interest have made the deal a lightning rod for criticism.

Ablakwa’s Key Points

Minister Ablakwa took to a televised briefing on the state broadcaster, highlighting three central points in his rebuttal:

1. Legal Compliance: Ablakwa emphasized that the agreement was signed after a thorough legal review by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghanaian Ministry of Transport. He cited a joint memorandum of understanding that clarified the scope of the contract, confirming that it was entirely within the legal framework governing public officials’ commercial activities.

2. Separation of Roles: A major argument in the criticism is that the President was leveraging public office to advance a private enterprise. Ablakwa countered that Mahama’s travel deal was independent of any governmental activity, and that the president’s role in signing the contract was strictly personal. He pointed out that the Ministry of Finance had no operational involvement in the contract, and no public funds were used to subsidise the flights.

3. Benefit to the Economy: The minister framed the deal as potentially beneficial for Ghana’s aviation sector. By partnering with a private airline, Ghana could attract foreign investment, improve the competitiveness of its domestic carriers, and increase tourism. Ablakwa suggested that the deal could serve as a model for public‑private collaboration, as long as it is governed by transparent rules.

Ablakwa also urged that critics exercise caution before labeling the arrangement as “corrupt.” He called for a more balanced examination of the facts, stating that “public officials are allowed to engage in legitimate private ventures, so long as those ventures do not undermine public trust.”

Political and Public Reactions

Following Ablakwa’s statements, opposition MPs in Parliament demanded a formal inquiry. Several opposition leaders—most notably the opposition leader of the NPP—argued that the minister’s comments constituted an attempt to deflect responsibility. They called for a joint committee to review the contract and its compliance with Ghana’s anti‑corruption laws.

Conversely, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) welcomed the minister’s clarification. “The minister has highlighted the key points that matter to Ghana’s citizens,” said a senior NDC spokesperson. “We stand by our president’s integrity and the transparent process that governed this agreement.”

Civil society activists have been split. Some, such as the Transparency International Ghana chapter, remain skeptical. They assert that even if the contract is legally sound, the optics—an ex‑president using a private airline—can erode public confidence. Others argue that the minister’s explanation suffices and that the public need not be alarmed by the deal’s mere existence.

Contextualizing the Deal

To better understand the controversy, it’s useful to examine the broader landscape of Ghana’s public‑private partnerships. The country has recently embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at attracting foreign investment in sectors ranging from energy to tourism. The idea is to leverage private sector expertise to drive development while maintaining strong public oversight.

Ablakwa’s own background offers a lens into his stance. Before entering politics, he served as a senior economist at the World Bank and was part of Ghana’s finance ministry during the 2010s, a period marked by significant fiscal reforms. His experience underscores his emphasis on legal compliance and institutional integrity.

Additionally, the article on GhanaWeb links to a brief profile of Okudzeto Ablakwa, highlighting his academic credentials—a Master’s in Economics from the University of Ghana—and his career trajectory. It also references Ghana’s Ministry of Finance website, which details the ministry’s role in overseeing public funds and regulating private contracts involving state officials. By following these links, readers can gain a deeper appreciation of the regulatory context surrounding the “commercial travel” contract.

Looking Ahead

The debate over President Mahama’s commercial travels is far from over. The Ghanaian Parliament is set to convene a special committee to examine the contract, and a civil society report is expected to be published in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Minister Ablakwa has pledged to maintain open channels of communication with Parliament and to provide regular updates on any findings.

In the meantime, the controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance Ghana must strike between encouraging private enterprise and safeguarding public trust. The outcome of this case will likely shape how future public officials navigate the intersection of state service and personal business interests, setting a precedent for accountability and transparency in the years to come.