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President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed that his government’s ban on first-class air travel for ministers and public officers remains firmly in place, stressing that the policy continues to guide official travel arrangements as part of broader efforts to enforce fiscal discipline.
The President made this known on Tuesday, January 6, while addressing participants at the 77th Annual New Year School conference at the University of Ghana, Legon. In a candid address, President Mahama shared a personal experience during an international trip to illustrate how strictly the policy is being enforced.
Recounting the incident, the president explained that upon boarding a flight, he noticed that the first-class cabin typically occupied by senior officials was almost entirely empty.
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“First class, for those of you who have travelled in first class before, it’s got eight cabins. And this person arrived and was the only person in the first-class cabin,” President Mahama said.
Surprised by the situation, the President said he questioned why no other passengers were seated in the section.
“I said, ‘Oh, President, why have you done that?’ He said he was the only person in the first-class cabin. And he asked why. He asked the stewards, ‘Why aren’t people travelling in your first class?’” the President recounted.
According to President Mahama, the cabin crew’s response confirmed the continued enforcement of the policy.
“And the stewards said, ‘The President of Ghana has banned all his ministers and public officers from travelling first class. And so all the ministers and public officers are at the back here in business,’” he said.
He added that upon further observation, several chief executives of state institutions and other public officials were indeed seated in business class, in line with the directive.
“So the ban is still effective,” President Mahama emphasised.
The President used the example to underscore his administration’s commitment to prudent use of public resources, noting that cost-consciousness must begin with leadership.
He stressed that government officials must lead by example, particularly at a time when the country is focused on economic recovery and efficient public spending.
The ban on first-class travel for ministers and public officers was introduced as part of measures to reduce excessive government expenditure and promote modesty in public service.
President Mahama indicated that the policy remains a key component of his government’s approach to fiscal responsibility and will continue to be enforced without exception.
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