The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the recent international trips of former President John Dramani Mahama, specifically questioning the use of a chartered aircraft and calling for greater transparency regarding the arrangements and funding of such travels.
The focus of their concerns is on the circumstances under which the chartered jet is used and the cost implications for the state. Members of the Minority, particularly those on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, insist it is essential for Parliament to understand the procedures governing presidential travel.
Lawmakers are seeking clarity on how decisions are made regarding the mode of travel, the composition of official delegations, and the financial arrangements supporting these trips. They have compiled records of the President’s officially communicated foreign travels and are requesting explanations from the relevant authorities.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said he and fellow legislator Vincent Ekow Assafuah had formally filed a parliamentary question addressed to the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs.
“My colleague, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, and I have filed a question in this regard. We have catalogued all the travels of the president that have officially been communicated to Parliament. Now we are asking the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief us on the circumstances, the criteria for his mode of travel, the composition of the contingent, and how all these trips are being funded,” he stated.
Ayeh added that the Minority will determine its official position after the ministers appear before Parliament to provide the requested explanations, emphasizing that the caucus is closely monitoring developments while awaiting responses.
