Reliable information has confirmed that President John Dramani Mahama flew to Japan on a commercial Emirates Airlines flight, not a private jet as earlier alleged by Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah.
The MP had claimed that a private jet with the registration number M-BAEP left Accra on the morning of Sunday, August 17, suggesting it was used by the President. He further estimated the trip’s cost at around $690,000, sparking public debate.
However, investigations reveal that President Mahama departed Accra on Sunday afternoon, shortly after attending a thanksgiving service for the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
He flew via Emirates flight EK318, transiting through Dubai before arriving in Tokyo at 5:43 p.m. local time (which is nine hours ahead of Ghana).
Flight records confirming the President’s travel can be verified on FlightAware under Emirates Flight UAE318.
President Mahama is currently in Tokyo for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX), where he is scheduled to speak during a plenary session on “Economy – Promoting Trade and Investment.”
He was received upon arrival by officials from Ghana’s Embassy in Japan and representatives of the Japanese government. The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation as part of efforts to strengthen trade and development partnerships between Ghana and the international community.
