President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that his government’s ban on first-class travel for ministers and public officers is still in force.
The President said this while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 77th Annual New Year School conference at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
He further stated that this demonstrates his administration’s strong commitment to fiscal discipline and cost-consciousness in public service, indicating that the policy will continue to govern government travel arrangements.
“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. And 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?’
“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.’ And it’s true; when he went, several chief executives and others were in business class. So the ban is still effective,” he said.
In February 2025, President John Dramani Mahama declared a travel ban on first-class travel for government appointees, underscoring his administration’s commitment to modesty and respect for Ghana’s citizens.
He had instructed Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to formally notify ministers and government appointees of an immediate restriction on non-essential travel.
“Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the Office of the Chief of Staff and such travels will have to be taken in modesty; no first class,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
