President Mahama’s Use of His Brother’s Jet Was a Security Necessity, Critics Must not Ignore the fact

Inasmuch as I acknowledge the concern raised by some Ghanaians that, the controversy surrounding President John Dramani Mahama’s use of his brother Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet, instead of the official presidential jet, could have been avoided if the National Security had issued an official communiqué to parliament and the public regarding the status of the presidential jet before his trip. While he had previously used his brother’s jet while in opposition, he is now the sitting president of Ghana, making the matter more significant. However, it would be unreasonable for any well-meaning citizen to criticize President Mahama for opting for a trusted private jet over the country’s unaudited official presidential aircraft. As against the reality that the military squadron in charge of the presidential jet has not provided an official confirmation of its full operational readiness. When in such circumstances, using the presidential jet would have introduced significant security and operational risks, potentially leading to disastrous consequences for both President Mahama and Ghana as a whole. It is crucial for critics to understand that in matters of national security, particularly on the safety of the first gentleman of the land, no risks should be entertained.
It is imperative to state unequivocally that the security and safety of the president are non-negotiable. In actual fact, the President’s safety is not just about protecting an individual. It directly affects the stability of the nation and ensures continuity of governance. Therefore, any decision involving the presidential jet, which is an extremely valuable national asset, requires rigorous security, intelligence, and technical assessment. This is a standard procedure to ensure the aircraft’s full readiness before any mission. Any absence of such clearance would make it reckless and irresponsible to fly in the presidential jet, as it would expose the president to potential threats.
Moreover, it is also important for critics to recognize that flying the presidential jet without an updated airworthiness report would violate established aviation safety protocols. Such a violation dramatically increases the risk of an in-flight emergency, whether due to mechanical failure or other unforeseen issues. This is a situation that no responsible government or leader would ever entertain, as the consequences could be far-reaching and catastrophic.
Additionally, critics must understand that a presidential flight is always a high-risk operation, making it a prime target for espionage, sabotage, and terrorist activities. The President’s movement, particularly while in the air, is subject to electronic surveillance and monitoring by both domestic and international actors. The potential for these threats to compromise the safety of the president is substantial, and they must be taken into account when making decisions about air travel. Given the very real danger of such activities, opting for an alternative jet that has already been cleared and vetted for safety becomes the only sensible choice.
In light of these considerations, it is clear that President Mahama’s decision to use his brother’s private jet instead of the official presidential aircraft was driven by a commitment to ensuring his own safety and, by extension, the security and stability of Ghana. Any criticism of this decision that fails to take these critical factors into account is not only misplaced but also shows a lack of understanding of the complex security risks involved. The decision to use an alternative aircraft with a confirmed security clearance was a necessary and responsible step in safeguarding national interests and ensuring the President’s safety.
Critics should prioritize the protection of their leader and recognize that ensuring the President’s safety is not a matter of luxury or convenience but a matter of national importance. Criticism based on superficial political considerations must give way to a more nuanced understanding of the security realities that guide such important decisions. In this case, the priority was the safety and security of the president, which is an obligation that can never be compromised.
Anthony Acquaye
Security, Intelligence, and Conflict
Signed