Mahama reiterates first-class travel ban for appointees

President John Mahama has reminded his ministers and public sector appointees that his administration’s ban on first-class air travel remains firmly in effect.

He has, once again, vowed to sanction any official found in violation.

Speaking at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana today, the President shared a pointed anecdote to underscore the policy’s enforcement and impact.

“It was in first class. I won’t name the airline, but everybody knows which airline you normally would take if you go to Dubai,” President Mahama began.

He described a scenario where an acquaintance found himself alone in the first-class cabin on such a flight.

“This person arrived and he was the only person in the first-class cabin,” the President narrated.

“He asked the stewards, ‘Why aren’t people traveling in your first class?’ The stewards said, ‘The President of Ghana has banned all his ministers and public officers from traveling first class.'”

President Mahama confirmed the accuracy of the cabin crew’s statement, revealing that other government officials on the same flight were seated in business class.

“And so, all the ministers and public officers are at the back in business class. And it’s true, when he went, several chief executives and others were in business class. So the ban is still effective,” he declared.

The President concluded with a direct warning to his administration: “And like I said, even if you can afford it, don’t travel first class. If you travel, I’ll sanction you.”

The policy, a hallmark of President Mahama’s commitment to fiscal discipline and the prudent use of public resources, restricts all government-appointed officials to business class travel for official trips, regardless of the length of the flight.

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