Security expert Col. Festus Boahen Aboagye (rtd)
Security expert Col. Festus Boahen Aboagye (rtd) has dismissed assertions that President John Dramani Mahama being driven by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, poses a security risk.
President Mahama faced criticism from some members of the public after videos of Ibrahim Mahama driving him during a visit to flood-stricken areas in the Volta Region last week went viral. Critics argued that the action compromised the president’s security.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb on Monday, March 10, 2025, Col. Aboagye stated that the incident had no security implications.
He explained that the president’s security team was present at the time and would have intervened if the situation posed any risk.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it unless one assumes that presidential drivers are the best in town, which is not necessarily the case. There could be other individuals who are better drivers than official presidential drivers.
“When you become president, a security arrangement is established for you. So, the president’s security detail was present, even if they were not in uniform. The vehicles positioned before and after the president’s vehicle would have contained security personnel.
“So, personally, I don’t see the security risk—unless, of course, his brother is a reckless driver,” Col. Aboagye said.
However, the retired colonel noted that the issue raised concerns about protocol rather than security.
He pointed out that it was not proper protocol for the president to be driven by his brother in a state vehicle while designated personnel were available for the task.
“This raises questions of protocol, not security. It is inappropriate for anyone who is not certified as a state official to drive the president’s official vehicle.
“So, while it is not a security issue, people may question whether it is the right thing to do,” he said.
Col. Aboagye added that if an accident had occurred while Ibrahim was driving the president, it could have led to significant legal concerns regarding whether the president should have been in that situation when designated personnel were available.
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