During the swearing-in ceremony of some ministers of state on February 7, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama announced a ban on first-class travel for government appointees, emphasising that his administration will be marked by modesty and respect for the people of Ghana.
While some have noted that this is a commendable directive by the president, others believe not a lot of officials use first class when they travel, therefore the move may not necessarily be a significant one.
A user on X, NanaDarko__ wrote: “Mahama’s ‘ban’ on first-class flights for government officials is merely a political theatric. It’s like banning Kevin Taylor from speaking sense – he wasn’t even going to speak sense anyway.”
However, John Kwakye of the IEA wrote: “President Mahama has started his administration on a promising and reassuring note–lean, modest, accountable and responsive Gov’t–in line with his campaign promises and learning lessons from his first Presidency. This is new in Ghanaian politics!”
The president stressed that public officials must be mindful of how they use state resources.
He also stated that he had directed the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, to officially inform ministers and government appointees of an immediate restriction on non-essential travel.
“Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the Office of the Chief of Staff and such travels will have to be taken in modesty; no first class,” he said.
See the reactions below
Banning the use of first class is not enough.
The state should pay for cheapest economy with a reasonable flight duration. And also cut down on size of delegation
Officials can top up from their own pocket for luxury https://t.co/ZgDHgXK3v5
— #Let’sTalkGhana (@drgyimah) February 7, 2025
President Mahama should stop the jokes already. Government officials fly Business Class and not First Class. His ban on First Class travels for gov’t officials is much ado about nothing and just a mirage.
— Fiifi Sage (@_Fiifi_Sage) February 7, 2025
President Mahama bans 1st class flights for all appointees. All non essential travels are banned and all travels must be verified by the Chief of Staff.
WE ARE RESETTING GHANA
— POLITICAL EXPOSES (@PExposes) February 7, 2025
More fire
When we told them we are here to RESET GHANA, they thought otherwise. THANK YOU JM
H.E John Mahama bans government officials from the use of first class during official travels.
This is a leader .Frugal with the public purse, no ostentatious spending on… pic.twitter.com/msw8m77jsS— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) February 7, 2025
Mahama bans the use of first class for ministers and government appointees during official travels.
So if they’re traveling, will they show you the type of ticket they bought? pic.twitter.com/4A7aObs9ar
— 𝐎𝐠𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (@natioonn) February 7, 2025
No Minister of this government shall make any non essential travels and all travels must be sanctioned by the office of the Chief of Staff. And no Minister shall fly first class …John Mahama means business
— John Wogbe Dzebu
(@FrancisNuku) February 7, 2025
President Mahama has banned the use of first-class trips for all ministers. No time to waste money
— Makavelli (@Makavelli_0) February 7, 2025
Given the Yentumi’s scandal exposing financial mismanagement, if President Mahama is truly committed to his austerity measures after banning first-class travel, he must now confront the inequity of high salaries and benefits of state CEOs and MDs by conducting a thorough review.…
— 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑵𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒖𝒚 ™ (@_nursingguy) February 7, 2025
We still need clarification if this new direction includes Govt officials traveling in Business Class or is the directives pertains to only First Class ticket.
— Nana Yaw Adom (@NanaYawAdo50887) February 7, 2025
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
