The Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, has announced that Ghana will acquire a dedicated presidential aircraft by November this year as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s state aviation capacity.
According to Dr. Mahama, the move forms part of a broader plan to retool and modernise the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly its air transport capabilities used for official government operations.
He explained that the additional aircraft will enhance the country’s ability to safely and efficiently transport the Head of State and support high-level government travel without relying on temporary arrangements.
The announcement comes amid ongoing public discussions about travel arrangements for John Dramani Mahama, following concerns raised by some Ghanaians over the use of a privately owned aircraft for certain official trips.
Dr. Mahama noted that the government is aware of the importance of maintaining public trust and ensuring that state officials operate with transparency and responsibility.
He said strengthening Ghana’s aviation capacity for presidential and government travel is part of a broader institutional rebuilding process under the current administration.
“The country is working toward restoring a stable and self-reliant system for presidential air transport,” he indicated, adding that the expected aircraft will be dedicated specifically to the President’s official duties.
Dr. Mahama further emphasised that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to improving operational capabilities within the Armed Forces while ensuring that state institutions are properly equipped to perform their functions.
Once the aircraft becomes operational later this year, Ghana is expected to rely fully on state-owned aviation assets for presidential travel, reducing the need for alternative arrangements.
The development, he said, is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen national institutions and improve the efficiency of governance.
