On Ibrahim Mahama and who drives the President: Ghana’s lack of clear protocols

Recent public discourse in Ghana has centred on a viral video showing businessman Ibrahim Mahama driving his brother, President John Dramani Mahama, during an official visit to flood-affected areas in Ketu South. 

This incident has sparked debates about presidential protocols, familial involvement in state affairs, and the legal frameworks governing who may operate vehicles for Ghana’s head of state. 

Let’s examine the historical precedents, current regulations, and sociopolitical implications of these discussions.

Historical context of presidential transportation in Ghana

Evolution of security protocols

Ghana’s presidential transportation protocols have roots in post-independence governance structures. 

During Kwame Nkrumah’s presidency (1960–1966), drivers for the first family were employed under strict confidentiality agreements, as seen in the case of Jonathan Kwashie Ahulu, Nkrumah’s former driver, who faced challenges securing retirement benefits after decades of service. This era established early norms of discretion and loyalty in presidential logistics, though formal protocols were less codified.

The 1993 Transport Management System introduced by the Ministry of Health marked an early attempt to standardize government vehicle operations, including guidelines on night driving and emergency protocols. 

While these rules applied broadly to civil servants, they did not specifically address presidential convoys, leaving security details to develop ad hoc measures.

Legal and regulatory frameworks for presidential convoys

Motorcade exemptions and traffic laws

Under Ghanaian law, presidential motorcades operate under unique exemptions. As clarified by ACP Patrick Adusei Sarpong of the Motor Traffic Transport Department (MTTD), road safety rules, including speed limits and traffic signals, do not apply to presidential convoys.

This exemption, designed to mitigate security risks, permits motorcades to bypass regular traffic flow and use sirens to clear roads. These protocols prioritize executive safety over standard regulations, a practice common in many democracies.

However, no existing legislation explicitly restricts who may drive the president in non-motorcade settings. The focus remains on security logistics rather than the identity of the driver, provided the individual is authorized by the Presidential Security Detail.

Recent incidents and public reactions

The Ibrahim Mahama controversy

On March 7, 2025, President Mahama and his brother Ibrahim visited Ketu South to assess tidal wave damage. A video seemingly showing Ibrahim driving the presidential vehicle sparked polarized reactions. Whereas it is unclear which car in the convoy carried the president, the leading vehicle with the State Emblem in place of a number plate was clearly driven by Ibrahim Mahama.

Critics argued that allowing a family member, particularly a businessman with state contracts, to chauffeur the president blurred ethical lines and contravened norms of impartiality. Supporters, however, praised the act as a display of humility and familial solidarity.

This incident followed another on January 7, 2025, when Ibrahim drove family members to the presidential inauguration in a private bus, further fuelling perceptions of informal familial involvement in state functions.

Fiscal austerity measures

In February 2025, President Mahama announced a ban on non-essential travel for government appointees, mandating that all necessary trips receive prior approval from the Chief of Staff and adhere to “modesty” standards, including restrictions on first-class flights and luxury accommodations.

While this policy aims to curb wasteful expenditure, it does not address the role of family members in official logistics.

Vehicle allocation criticisms

Public scrutiny of government vehicle use predates the current administration. 

In 2022, revelations that a Toyota V8 was dedicated to transporting President Akufo-Addo’s office chair drew accusations of extravagance. Officials defended the practice as a COVID-19 precaution, though critics dismissed this justification as frivolous.

Ethical and security considerations

Conflict of interest concerns

Ibrahim Mahama’s dual role as a business magnate and the president’s brother raises questions about potential conflicts. 

Legal analysts highlighted that unpaid personal services from a relative could create perceptions of favouritism, especially if Ibrahim’s companies bid for government contracts. 

Ghana’s yet-to-be-implemented code of conduct for officials, mentioned by President Mahama, may need to address such scenarios.

Security protocols

Presidential security teams typically require drivers to undergo rigorous training in defensive manoeuvring, threat detection, and emergency response. 

While Ibrahim’s driving credentials remain undisclosed, the incident underscores the need for clear guidelines on civilian involvement in convoy operations.

Comparative analysis: Global practices

In the United States, the Secret Service strictly prohibits family members from driving the president due to security risks. 

Similarly, in Nigeria, presidential drivers must be vetted by the State Security Service. Ghana’s lack of explicit rules contrasts with these models, relying instead on unwritten conventions of professionalism.

The absence of codified rules regarding familial roles in presidential transportation has left Ghana’s protocols vulnerable to interpretation. While existing motorcade exemptions prioritize security, they do not address the ethical dimensions of relatives undertaking official duties. 

The Mahama administration’s forthcoming code of conduct presents an opportunity to clarify these gray areas, balancing transparency with the practical demands of executive protection. 

Moving forward, policymakers must reconcile public expectations of accountability with the need for discretionary security measures, a challenge central to maintaining trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions.

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