Senior political science lecturer and policy analyst Dr Joshua Zaato has raised concerns over perceived conflicts of interest in the use of state resources, warning that governance credibility can be compromised even when no legal rules are broken.
Speaking on the use of private aircraft belonging to President John Mahama’s brother, Dr. Zaato noted that perception matters as much as legality, particularly when family connections intersect with government operations.
“No matter how you spin it, there’s the smell of conflict of interest that cannot be washed away,” he said. He highlighted the challenges faced by the presidency in balancing security, safety, and diplomatic considerations with transparency and ethical standards.
Dr. Zaato argued that while state officials may not be breaking the law, the optics of using family-owned resources can erode public trust.
“Even when arrangements are legitimate and paid for by the state, the fact that we are talking about it means the perception has already compromised governance,” he said.
He also drew attention to historical precedents, noting that conflicts between politicians and businesspeople often arise due to family or friendship ties.
“This is a common denominator. We shouldn’t demonise businesses or individuals just because relatives are involved in government,” he explained.
Dr. Zaato emphasised the need for deliberate policies to encourage local businesses to operate ethically and professionally while maintaining transparency.
“We should support local enterprises, but we must also ensure their interactions with the government are above reproach,” he said.
By Christabel Success Treve
