Minister of State in charge of Government Communications has defended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to travel on a private jet owned by his brother, saying the arrangement helps Ghana avoid the high cost of renting chartered aircraft for presidential trips.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu explained that the President opted to use a jet belonging to businessman Ibrahim Mahama as a temporary measure while the government works to procure a new presidential aircraft.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Thursday, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said the state does not pay rental fees for the aircraft, which would normally cost about $18,000 per hour when chartered for official travel.

“Rather than taking taxpayers’ money to rent expensive aircraft, the President has decided to use his brother’s jet in the interim. This helps the country avoid paying huge charter fees,” he said.

According to him, the government only covers operational costs such as fuel and possible landing charges when the aircraft is used for official trips.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu's defence follows the Minority’s allegation that President Mahama has violated the Code of Conduct for government appointees by frequently using a private jet owned by his brother for official international trips.

Speaking to JoyNews in Parliament, the New Patriotic Party lawmakers said the arrangement raises serious ethical questions and constitutes what he called a “clear conflict of interest.”