The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the country’s defense capabilities through $ 1 billion investment in military infrastructure, healthcare, and operational readiness.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah delivered a firm message, outlining a comprehensive strategy to bolster the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in line with the broader “Reset Ghana” agenda.
“In times of peace, like now, our focus must be and indeed is on building the institutions, hospitals, roads, and industries that protect our people and promote their well-being.
“Today, I’m proud to report that in alignment with the Reset Ghana Agenda, military infrastructure is receiving attention and investment, turning Ghana’s defence footprint into an engine for national development.”
Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah
A central highlight of the President’s defense vision is a planned $1 billion investment to retool the Ghana Armed Forces. This financial commitment, Dr Omane Boamah explained, is intended to support the operations of the military, ensuring that soldiers are better equipped and strategically positioned to respond to threats, while also contributing to broader national development goals.
As part of efforts to strengthen border security and improve the living and working conditions of military personnel, Dr Omane Boamah noted that President Mahama has directed that all Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) currently under construction along Ghana’s northern frontiers be expedited under the Big Push programme.
Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
These FOBs span from the Upper West to the Upper East regions, extending through the North East Region—key areas regarded as strategic corridors in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
Healthcare Investment
According to him, President Mahama has underscored the critical importance of healthcare investment for Ghana’s service members, referring to the initiative as “healthcare for heroes.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that those who defend the nation are themselves well protected and cared for. Dr Omane Boamah indicated that the 37 Military Hospital, which is the crown jewel of the military’s health system and the national emergency response centre, has seen significant improvement.
Notable among the upgrades are the installation of modern oxygen compressor systems and diagnostic imaging machines aimed at meeting 21st-century healthcare standards.
“When I visited 37 Military Hospital earlier in this administration, the pressures had reduced so much that if those compressors had not been procured and fixed, 37 would have run out of supply of oxygen.
Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
“And 37 doesn’t just supply itself; it also provides oxygen—affordable oxygen—for the Ghana Ambulance Service. So just think about what the implications would have been.”
Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Additional upgrades at the hospital include the installation of digital patient monitors, a new cold room for pharmaceutical preservation, and high-grade dental sterilizers. These enhancements, the Defence Minister said, are essential to ensuring the readiness and resilience of the military’s health system.
Afari Military Hospital Nearing Completion
Additionally, Dr Omane Boamah noted that the government has also resolved longstanding contractual challenges that had stalled progress on the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region.
Through what he described as “painstaking negotiations,” those bottlenecks have been cleared, paving the way for the cost-effective completion of the project.
Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Also, efforts are underway to upgrade medical reception stations across the country. These upgrades are expected to improve access to quality healthcare services for both soldiers and civilians, particularly in underserved regions.
In closing, the Defence Minister emphasized that these investments are not only about enhancing military capacity but also about demonstrating the government’s dedication to national security, economic resilience, and the welfare of the men and women in uniform.
Through these initiatives, the Mahama administration aims to create a more agile, equipped, and supported Ghana Armed Forces—an institution that serves not only as a bulwark against threats but also as a key pillar of national development.
