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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has confirmed that former President John Dramani Mahama is the individual referred to as ‘Government Official 1’ in the Airbus Scandal. This identification was made during a press conference held by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng in Accra on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Additionally, Mahama’s brother, Samuel Mahama, has been identified as ‘Intermediary 5’ in the case.
The OSP provided an overview of its investigation into the matter, confirming that while Mahama was indeed the individual identified by both UK and US courts, there was no evidence to suggest that he was involved in the acquisition process of the aircraft. The investigation also concluded that Mahama’s communications and meetings with Airbus officials were driven by good intentions and did not constitute corruption.
“The OSP investigation found no evidence that former President Mahama was involved or played any role in the procurement and maintenance of the agency relationship between Airbus and Foster and his associates in respect of the purchase by the Government of Ghana of military transport aircraft from Airbus,” the OSP stated.
The Airbus Scandal, which surfaced during Mahama’s presidency, involved the procurement of three C295 military aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces. Although the UK and US authorities raised concerns about possible corruption linked to these deals, the OSP’s findings indicate that Mahama’s involvement was coincidental and not corrupt.
The scandal originally came to light in 2020 when former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu began investigating the agreements related to the purchase of military aircraft from Airbus. The investigation was triggered by allegations that Mahama and his brother were entangled in corrupt activities connected to these deals.
Despite the OSP’s clearance of Mahama, the scandal continues to draw public and political attention, particularly in light of the UK’s Crown Court’s judgment, which exposed a broader pattern of bribery and corruption involving Airbus in various countries, including Ghana. The UK court found that Airbus had engaged in bribery schemes to secure contracts, including the sale of C295 aircraft to Ghana between 2011 and 2015. However, no direct link was established between Mahama’s actions and the bribery schemes.
The case remains a significant chapter in Ghana’s recent history, highlighting the complex interplay of international business, political influence, and the challenges of upholding transparency in governmental procurements.
