Stan Dogbe Fires Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafua Over Mahama Travel Claims: “A Disgrace of an MP”
- Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe criticised Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, for comments linked to President John Mahama's travels
- Assafuah claimed on social media that a private jet was being used as the president travelled out of the country
- The MP also estimated the supposed costs of the flight, claiming it would run into several hundreds of thousands of dollars
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A Deputy Chief of Staff, Stan Dogbe, has criticised Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, for claims suggesting that President John Mahama chartered a private jet for an official trip.
Dogbe called Assafuah a liar for the claims which followed Mahama's trip to Japan and Singapore.
Source: Facebook
In a post on Facebook, Dogbe also said the MP was a disgrace.
"A disgrace of an MP! Lying unintelligently, and worse still, never learns from his constant mix ups. Amevlo!"
Assafuah claimed on social media that a private jet, with registration number M-BAEP, was being used as the president travelled out of the country. The MP notably did not name the president in his posts online.
He went further to estimate the supposed costs of the flight, claiming it would run into several hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the journey route.
According to him, a seven-hour flight from Accra would cost about $105,000, with an additional 12-hour leg to Japan costing $180,000.
He further suggested that a stop in Singapore would add another $105,000, and a 20-hour return trip to Germany and Accra could add $300,000.
"This private jet, M-BAEP, left Accra this morning around 7 a.m. It is estimated to cost $15,000 per hour to rent this flight. A simple calculation shows that the 7-hour journey already covered amounts to $105,000. If the flight proceeds to Japan, which is likely to take about 12 hours, that would be another $180,000."
Dogbe held that Mahama did not use any private jet but rather flew out of Accra aboard a commercial airline.
Where is Ghana's presidential jet?
Ghana’s official presidential aircraft is grounded in France because of major repair works.
It has been grounded since March 11, 2025, because of multiple defects deemed critical.
3News reported that these issues include severe corrosion in its fuel tanks and engine components.
The details emerged following a parliamentary inquiry after Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang returned to Ghana aboard an unofficial private jet in May 2025.
Assafuah had asked if the presidential jet was unavailable, restricted, or reassigned at the time of the Vice President’s private return.
Defence Minister at time, the now deceased Dr Edward Omane Boamah confirmed the jet’s unavailability, citing extensive maintenance work at Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France.
Source: UGC
Ibrahim Mahama jet controversy
YEN.com.gh reported that Mahama's use of his brother's private jet prompted some criticism from observers online back in January.
The criticism centred around concerns about conflict of interest.
At the time, the acting spokesperson of the presidency, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, explained that the President was travelling in his brother’s jet because the Ghana Air Force had yet to provide him with reports on the state of the presidential jet and other flights under their mandate.
Source: YEN.com.gh
