Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has explained why President John Dramani Mahama has recently been seen traveling on private jets during his foreign trips, including his visit to the World Governments Summit 2026 and his recent trip to Zambia.

Speaking in Zambia, where President Mahama met with members of the Ghanaian community, Ablakwa clarified that the aircraft being used are not privately chartered by the presidency but are provided by world leaders eager to host the Ghanaian President.

According to him, this arrangement reflects the honour, demand, and prestige President Mahama currently enjoys on the international stage, as several leaders are keen to have him attend events and meetings in their countries.

President Mahama heads to Dubai in special aircraft provided by UAE ruler

“If you have seen in recent times attempts to say that President Mahama is probably falling in love with private jets, this is a different kind of private jet arrangement. It is because of the honour, the high demand, and the very great prestige that President Mahama has brought to the office of the President of Ghana. He is so well sought after and in such high demand that world leaders are not taking no for an answer,” he said.

Ablakwa added that due to the President’s tight schedule, some countries go the extra mile to ensure his movement between destinations is seamless.

“They are not looking at his calendar or his schedule. Whatever they have to do to lift him, airlift him to their countries, and send him wherever he has to be next, they are doing that. And so for the record, that is the reason why you saw a different kind of jet here,“ Ablakwa noted.

He further urged Ghanaians to take pride in what he described as the restored honour of the presidency under Mahama.

“So we must all be proud. President Mahama has restored honour and prestige to the high office of President, and Ghana has taken its rightful place in the community of nations,” he added.

During President Mahama's visit to Zambia, he held bilateral talks with President Hakainde Hichilema on issues of mutual interest, including diplomatic relations, trade and investment, and collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Watch the video below:

"World leaders are doing whatever they can to airlift him to their countries and send him wherever he has to be next." - Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto, explains why President Mahama flew to the World Governments Summit in Dubai and then to Zambia on an aircraft… pic.twitter.com/nSRlkVsn7x

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