President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for using a private aircraft belonging to his brother and business mogul, Ibrahim Mahama, stating that the move sends conflicting signals about the government’s stance on public sector discipline.

In a Facebook post on March 12, 2026, Cudjoe argued that the president should provide justification if he chooses to travel on a private jet, especially after asking government appointees to limit travel unless there is clear economic justification.

“Mr President, with due respect, you cannot be asking your appointees not to travel without providing economic justification and then you jump on your brother's plane without providing us reasons why you think it is the only safe, available and cheaper airline,” he stated.

Cudjoe referenced a recent instance where the president travelled on a commercial flight, a move that was widely publicised by the communications team and praised by many Ghanaians.

Frustration ‘forced’ me to make ‘dead goat syndrome’ comment – John Mahama

“You recently flew commercial and your communications team happily shared videos. We all applauded,” he said.

“This is the second time I have heard about using Mr Ibrahim Mahama’s plane and you may be earning back your own ‘dead goat’ syndrome, which was last rejected by many. Please stop,” Cudjoe cautioned.

Cudjoe, However, said reports of the president again using a private aircraft owned by Ibrahim Mahama could undermine the message of fiscal discipline being communicated to public officials.

According to him, such actions risk reviving criticisms associated with what he described as the ‘dead goat syndrome,’ a phrase previously used in Ghana’s political discourse to suggest indifference to public criticism.

He consequently appealed to the president to desist or offer explanations to his reason for flying in his brother's private jet.

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