Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for using a private aircraft owned by his brother for official international travel.

Bentil described the arrangement as "very wrong," and raised concerns about both ethical standards and national security.

He argued that official state travel should reflect the dignity of the presidency and the country, stressing that leaders should rely on aircraft provided and maintained by the state rather than privately owned jets.

“It affects the morale of the people when their leader uses a privately-owned jet rather than one provided and maintained by the state,” he said on JoyNews' News File.

Bentil also warned that using a privately owned aircraft, belonging to businessman Ibrahim Mahama, could pose security risks if the aircraft is not serviced and operated under state supervision.

According to him, such an arrangement could expose the president to vulnerabilities including the possibility of sabotage or the planting of surveillance devices.

While acknowledging that cost considerations may be cited as a reason for the decision, Bentil maintained that financial savings should not override issues of security and propriety.

He suggested that if state aircraft are unavailable, the government should charter an appropriate plane for official trips instead of relying on a private one.