Minority Alleges Conflict of Interest Over Damang Mine, Presidential Jet Use
Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | Parliament House, Accra | March 26, 2026
The Minority on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee has accused President John Dramani Mahama of breaching constitutional provisions by allegedly using a private jet owned by his brother while the same brother’s company seeks to acquire the Damang Gold Mine.
Addressing the media on March 26, Ranking Member of the Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, described the situation as a “serious conflict of interest,” arguing that the President’s repeated use of aircraft linked to businessman Ibrahim Mahama raises ethical and legal concerns.
According to the Minority, the President has, since his inauguration in January 2025, used private jets owned by Engineers & Planners (E&P), a company associated with his brother, for official state travels. They cited a recent trip to Seoul, South Korea, in March 2026 aboard a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, reportedly provided without rental charges, with the state covering only fuel and landing costs.
The group referenced remarks by Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who confirmed in a media interview that the government does not pay to rent the aircraft.
The Minority argued that this arrangement contravenes Article 284 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which prohibits public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties. They further pointed to guidelines by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which recognise both actual and perceived conflicts of interest.
The statement also linked the aircraft arrangement to the ongoing process concerning the Damang Gold Mine, whose lease expires in April 2026. Engineers & Planners is reportedly among firms seeking to take over operations of the mine, currently held by a subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited.
The Minority contended that the dual relationship—where the President benefits from services provided by his brother while the latter pursues a major state asset—creates an appearance of bias that could undermine the integrity of the bidding process.
They further questioned the transparency of the Damang tender process, calling for the publication of evaluation criteria, tender committee composition, and full disclosure of beneficial ownership of all bidding entities. They also demanded the recusal of any officials with prior ties to the bidding companies.
Additionally, the group indicated plans to petition CHRAJ to investigate both the jet usage and the Damang transaction under constitutional provisions governing conflict of interest and abuse of office.
The Minority has called on the President to immediately discontinue the use of his brother’s aircraft for official duties while any business dealings involving state contracts remain active.
They also urged Parliament to ensure strict compliance with Article 268 of the Constitution, which requires parliamentary ratification of mining leases, warning that any breach could render such agreements invalid.
The statement concluded that the credibility of the Damang process depends not only on fairness but on public perception of fairness, stressing that transparency and adherence to the law are critical to maintaining confidence in Ghana’s governance and management of natural resources.
