- A fresh fact-check has debunked allegations made by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah regarding former President John Dramani Mahama’s Japan and Singapore visit. Contrary to Assafuah’s claims of a $690,000 private jet hire, flight records show the referenced aircraft never travelled to Japan. Mahama’s team confirmed he flew Emirates, making the MP’s assertions baseless propaganda.
Assafuah’s False Private Jet Claim Against Mahama Exposed
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has come under criticism for spreading false claims about former President John Dramani Mahama’s recent international trip.
In a Facebook post on August 18, 2025, Assafuah alleged that Mahama’s official two-nation visit to Japan and Singapore was carried out using a hired private jet at an estimated cost of $15,000 per hour. He further suggested that the journey, including stops in Singapore and a return leg through Germany, would cost nearly $690,000.
Assafuah identified the jet as one with registration number M-BAEP, claiming it departed Accra on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 7:00 a.m.
Mahama’s Team Responds
Mahama’s aide, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, rubbished the MP’s claims, describing them as a “mediocre attempt at propaganda.”
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, he clarified:
“He does not have any facts. He is just wasting everybody’s time with claims that are false… President Mahama has not travelled by private jet. President Mahama travelled to Japan via Emirates, and it is something you can check. It is not a secret.”
Flight Data Disproves Claim
Checks conducted by Assafuah Media confirmed that the private jet cited by Assafuah never went near Japan or Singapore.
According to FlightAware tracking data, the Canadair Challenger CL60 jet (M-BAEP) departed Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 7:13 a.m. and landed in Berlin, Germany, the same day at 4:12 p.m.
The evidence proves the aircraft was not used by Mahama for his Asia trip.
Conclusion
The allegations made by Vincent Ekow Assafuah that John Dramani Mahama chartered a private jet for his Japan and Singapore trip are false. Verified flight data and official confirmation from Mahama’s team establish that the former president flew commercially via Emirates Airlines.
This incident highlights the need for public officials to verify information before making accusations that could mislead the public.
