President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that his administration’s ban on first-class air travel for ministers and public sector appointees remains fully in force, warning that any official who flouts the directive will face sanctions.
The President issued the reminder while speaking at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana, where he used a real-life travel experience to highlight how strictly the policy is being enforced.
According to President Mahama, an acquaintance recently boarded a flight to Dubai and discovered that he was the only passenger seated in the first-class cabin.
“It was in first class. I won’t name the airline, but everybody knows which airline you normally take if you go to Dubai,” the President remarked.
Curious about the empty cabin, the passenger reportedly questioned the flight attendants about the absence of other first-class travelers.
“The stewards told him, ‘The President of Ghana has banned all his ministers and public officers from traveling first class,’” Mahama recounted.
The President confirmed that the explanation was accurate, noting that other government officials on the same flight—including ministers and chief executives—were seated in business class, in compliance with the directive.
“When he went back, several chief executives and public officers were in business class,” Mahama said. “So the ban is still effective.”
President Mahama concluded with a firm warning to members of his administration, stressing that personal wealth does not exempt anyone from the policy.
“And like I said, even if you can afford it, don’t travel first class,” he cautioned. “If you travel first class, I will sanction you.”
The restriction on first-class travel has been a key feature of President Mahama’s governance approach, aimed at promoting fiscal discipline, modesty in public service, and the prudent use of state resources. Under the policy, all government-appointed officials are limited to business class travel for official assignments, regardless of flight duration.
