Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
The Minority in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of presiding over a serious conflict-of-interest situation involving the use of his brother’s private jet for official travel and the alleged positioning of that same brother’s company to acquire the Damang Gold Mine.
Addressing the media in Parliament yesterday, the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, described the situation as “state capture,” arguing that the two developments are interconnected and raise constitutional concerns.
According to the Minority, President Mahama has, since his inauguration in January 2025, relied on private aircraft owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, for several official trips.
The aircraft, operated under Engineers & Planners, has reportedly been used for both regional and international engagements, including a recent visit to Seoul, South Korea.
The Minority cited remarks by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirming that the state does not pay for the aircraft itself but only covers fuel and landing charges.
They argued that this arrangement amounts to a substantial benefit, claiming that equivalent charter costs could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars per trip.
The caucus contended that such an arrangement potentially breaches Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties.
Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong further referenced existing guidelines by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), noting that even perceived conflicts of interest are sufficient grounds for concern.
Beyond the aviation issue, the Minority also raised alarm over what they describe as a lack of transparency in the process to determine the future of the Damang Gold Mine, currently operated by Gold Fields’ subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, whose lease is set to expire in April 2026.
They alleged that Engineers & Planners, owned by Ibrahim Mahama, is positioning itself as the frontrunner to take over the mine, citing the company’s long-standing role as a contractor at Damang and recent financial and operational preparations.
While government has indicated that a competitive bidding process is underway, the Minority questioned the timing, criteria, and composition of the tender process.
They are demanding full disclosure of bid documentation, beneficial ownership details of all applicants, and the recusal of any officials with prior links to interested parties.
The statement also called for a suspension of any pre-award activities by Engineers & Planners and urged that Parliament be fully briefed before any final decision is made, in line with constitutional requirements.
On the aviation matter, the Minority is demanding that the President immediately cease using his brother’s aircraft for official travel and publish a detailed account of all such trips undertaken since 2025. They further indicated plans to petition CHRAJ to investigate the arrangement.
The caucus maintained that the integrity of the country’s governance and the credibility of its extractive sector depend on strict adherence to transparency and conflict-of-interest rules, warning that failure to address these concerns could invite legal challenges and undermine public trust.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House