According to GhanaWeb, security expert Col. Festus Boahen Aboagye (rtd) has rejected claims that President John Dramani Mahama’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama, driving him presents a security threat.
The president received backlash after videos surfaced showing Ibrahim driving him during a visit to flood-affected areas in the Volta Region last week. Critics argued this could jeopardize the president’s safety.
In an interview with GhanaWeb on March 10, 2025, Col. Aboagye clarified that the incident did not have any security implications.
He noted that the president’s security team was on-site and would have acted if there were any risks involved.
He mentioned that there is nothing inherently wrong with the situation, suggesting that there are potentially skilled drivers outside the official presidential drivers.
Col. Aboagye explained that a comprehensive security arrangement is always in place for the president, including personnel in nearby vehicles, whether or not they are in uniform.
He emphasized that the main concern should be about proper protocol rather than security, pointing out that it is inappropriate for someone who is not a designated state official to operate the president’s vehicle.
While he acknowledged that the situation was not a direct security issue, he noted that it could raise questions about the appropriateness of the decision.
“So, personally, I don’t see the security risk—unless, of course, his brother is a reckless driver,” Col. Aboagye said.
He also warned that, had an accident occurred while Ibrahim was driving, it could have led to significant legal repercussions regarding the circumstances of the president’s transportation.