The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has clarified why President John Dramani Mahama has recently been seen travelling on private jets during some of his international engagements, stating that the aircraft are not privately chartered by the presidency but provided by host nations.

Speaking in Zambia during President Mahama’s meeting with members of the Ghanaian community, Ablakwa said the travel arrangements reflect the growing demand and diplomatic regard for the Ghanaian leader on the global stage.

According to the Minister, several world leaders are keen to host President Mahama and often make special logistical arrangements to facilitate his attendance at high-level events and meetings.

“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,” Ablakwa said. “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 explained that, due to the President’s tight schedule, some countries go the extra mile to ensure seamless travel between destinations by providing dedicated aircraft.

“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,” he added.