Former Interior Minister Henry Quartey has assured that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will fully support President John Dramani Mahama’s plans to retool the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), stressing that matters of national security should never be undermined by political differences.
Mr. Quartey noted that as Commander-in-Chief, President Mahama must be provided with the safest means of transport and protection, adding that both government and opposition share the duty of safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty.
“We (NPP) will not fight the Ghana Armed Forces being retooled. President Mahama is the president of the country, we voted for him and it is our duty to give him that security. So if he has to fly in an aircraft that is safe for the people of Ghana, hallelujah and we will do that”
Henry Quartey, Former Interior Minister
The former minister underlined the importance of bipartisan support for defense initiatives, pointing to past administrations that prioritized strengthening security services.
He recalled that under President John Agyekum Kufuor, significant acquisitions were made to bolster Ghana’s military and navy. The Akufo-Addo administration, he added, expanded this trajectory by enhancing the mobility and capacity of the Police Service.
Mr. Quartey highlighted how the Police Service transformed during his tenure as Deputy Minister of Interior between 2017 and 2018, when many districts lacked rifles and police officers struggled without basic logistics.
“But today, Ghana Police are riding in cars with air conditioning on,” he recalled, contrasting that period with later improvements that introduced patrol vehicles and modern facilities for officers and security agencies.
The former minister said equipping the Armed Forces is equally critical in ensuring that Ghana can respond to both “domestic and international security challenges.”
President Mahama’s administration is now preparing to procure new aircraft and modern logistics for the Ghana Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence has indicated that the plans are aimed at boosting operational efficiency and safeguarding the presidency.
The move has stirred public debate over cost implications, but Mr. Quartey insisted that security should remain paramount. He stressed that the safety of the President and the protection of national sovereignty cannot be compromised for political expediency.
Rebuttal of Helicopter Controversy
Addressing recent claims that the Akufo-Addo government procured obsolete helicopters for the Ghana Police Service during its tenure, Mr. Quartey dismissed the allegations as unfounded. He explained that the acquisition process had been conducted transparently and that transition teams were fully briefed on the details.
“I recall very well that when the transition team came, I was in office. I took them through all the processes, and I asked them to go to the Ghana Police Service and make enquiries. So, I want to believe that the truth is out there”
Henry Quartey, Former Interior Minister
Mr. Quartey criticised what he described as needless politicisation of the matter, stressing that the focus should be on operational needs rather than the specifications or age of the aircraft. “We cannot do politics with security. That’s all I’m saying,” he cautioned.
He further clarified that the helicopters in question were procured for operational purposes such as surveillance and rapid deployment, and not for luxury.
The former Interior Minister concluded that Ghana’s security and defense agenda must always remain above partisan politics, warning that the country risks stagnation if critical national issues are constantly subjected to political gamesmanship.
“Really and truly, that is not to suggest that some wrongful acts have been committed. But I’m saying that – we have a country to build. If we subject ourselves to this kind of government go, government come, then the country cannot advance properly”
Henry Quartey, Former Interior Minister
As the government moves forward with its plans to modernise the Ghana Armed Forces, calls for bipartisan cooperation continue to resonate strongly. Both supporters and critics are watching closely to see how defense reforms unfold in the interest of stability and peace.
