Deputy Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarkoh, has dismissed criticisms surrounding the government’s planned acquisition of new aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces, stating firmly in Parliament that the actual cost of the aircraft will be “far less” than the substantial sums previously spent by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on luxurious presidential jet rentals.
His remarks formed part of a heated parliamentary exchange on military retooling and procurement transparency, an issue that has gained renewed public interest after earlier claims by opposition figures suggested that the government intended to spend up to US$1.2 billion.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ampem Nyarkoh questioned what he described as a sudden shift in position by the former Minister for Defence, who had expressed concerns about the cost and nature of the military acquisitions.
According to the Deputy Minister, the former Defence Minister’s newly raised doubts contradict his past statements that defended the need for the President to rely on rented luxury aircraft rather than the country’s own fleet.
“I wanted to be sure whether he was against the retooling of the military or not. But the information I’m getting from the military, the place you led for eight years, is that the three aircraft you spoke about—only one is functional as we speak. Only one is flying.”
Deputy Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarkoh
Double Standard
Hon. Ampem Nyarkoh recalled that the same former Defence Minister had, in previous debates, justified the President’s use of expensive rented private jets, claiming Ghana’s aircraft were not “fit for purpose.”
He argued that it was disingenuous for the former Minister to now question efforts to replace the worn-out fleet and strengthen the military’s operational capacity. “Today, because your sitting position has changed, you are singing from a different hymnbook,” he told Parliament.
He assured the House that the Majority Leader had already indicated that Parliament would have access to the full specifications and cost breakdowns of the aircraft and equipment to be procured.
He emphasised that, after the necessary scrutiny, it would become clear that the cost per aircraft is nowhere near the controversial figures circulated in the media. “I will tell you that the cost of one aircraft will be far less than the amount you spent for President Akufo-Addo to rent luxurious aircrafts and fly around this country,” he insisted.
His comments echoed earlier clarifications given by Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, who described the circulating figure of US$1.2 billion as “false” and deliberately inflated for partisan advantage.
According to Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, the combined cost of the helicopters, jets, armoured personnel carriers, and naval vessels being procured does not come close to the amount alleged by critics.
He noted that the price of the four helicopters alone was €125.9 million, which would be roughly US$130 million at current conversion rates, insisting that claim by the NPP Minority that the government intends to spend 1.2 billion dollars on the aircraft purchase is false.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu argued that attempts to portray the government as engaging in wasteful military expenditures were politically motivated and ignored the realities of Ghana’s security needs.
He stressed that the procurement plan is both reasonable and necessary and forms part of broader efforts to restore the operational readiness of the military after years of underinvestment.
The combined statements from the Deputy Finance Minister and the Presidential Spokesperson signal a coordinated push by government to dispel speculation and reassure the public that the ongoing retooling of the Ghana Armed Forces is being conducted responsibly.
Both officials contend that the claims of inflated costs are politically engineered and aimed at undermining public confidence rather than contributing to genuine oversight.
Parliament is expected to debate the full proposal in the coming weeks, during which the Minority has vowed to demand full disclosure of all financing arrangements, specifications, and procurement procedures. With security concerns in the sub-region heightening, the government maintains that timely investment in the country’s military assets is not optional.
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