The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John D. Mahama is the subject of a petition filed with the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the take over of the Damang mine by his biological Brother, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama.

In the petition filed with CHRAJ on the 20th day of May, 2026, the Petitioner, Mr. Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu invokes the investigative powers of the Ombudsman under Article 218(a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and relies on Article 284 on conflict of interest under the code of conduct spelt out under the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana for public officers.

Per the petition a copy of which is below for read/download, in addition to the Damang mine takeover, the petitioner cites the funding of the health trip of the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman by the Brother of the President, use of the private jet of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama by the President and other dependent acts of the government and President on his Brother, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama which per the petitioner raises serious issues conflict of interest among others.

STAR OF THE MONTH - Professor Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson ESQ.

Per the petition, the complaint of the petitioner is "premised on serious concerns of conflict of interest, abuse of executive influence, and the possible use of public office for private family advantage contrary to Article 284 of the Constitution. I am informed and verily believe that the takeover process received approval from Cabinet. It is a matter of public record and constitutional fact that Cabinet is chaired by the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, whose biological brother, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, is alleged to be the beneficiary of the said transaction."

In suggesting to CHRAJ the direct involvement of the President in the decision of the Ghanaian government to hand over a key state asset to the Brother of the President, the petition states at its second page that "It is also not in dispute that the said transaction received the tacit approval of Cabinet, which is ordinarily chaired by the President. Indeed, in February 2025, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga publicly asserted that Cabinet decisions are ultimately taken by the President upon the advice of Ministers who constitute Cabinet."

In the premises, the petitioner relying on Article 218(a) of the 1992 Constitution seeks CHRAJ to "therefore...

a. Commence a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the approval and takeover process;