Parliament approves €125.9m and US$60.68m package to retool Ghana Air Force — a new dawn for national security

Parliament has approved a major retooling package for the Ghana Air Force, endorsing two agreements worth €125.9 million and US$60.68 million to replace ageing aircraft and bolster national security operations.

The package includes a €125,965,974 contract with Airbus Helicopters SAS for one H160 and three H175 helicopters, alongside a US$60,680,000 agreement with Dassault Aviation for a Falcon 6X aircraft.

Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi presented the agreements, which were scrutinised by the Defence and Interior Committee. The Committee stressed that the acquisitions are vital to restoring the Air Force’s operational readiness, noting that several aircraft—including the Mi-17, Z-9EH, Falcon 900EX and two Casa C295Ms—are currently unserviceable or severely limited, leaving Ghana exposed to security risks.

The report highlighted growing national threats such as terrorism, illegal mining, drug trafficking, human smuggling and maritime crimes, underscoring the need for modern air assets to safeguard territorial integrity and support executive mobility.

“Enough of the politics”
Ranking Member for Defence and Interior, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, described the approval as a “patriotic responsibility,” urging Parliament to move beyond partisan disputes that have long hindered military acquisitions. He recalled past resistance to retooling efforts, but declared: “Enough of the politics… This is a new dawn.”

Fordjour emphasised that the new Falcon 6X is essential for presidential and national security, citing defects in the current Falcon 900EX. He welcomed expert recommendations from the August 6 helicopter crash investigation, including modern avionics and performance guarantees, while calling for strict oversight, pilot training, and sustainable maintenance structures.

He further encouraged leveraging Air Force capabilities to support the oil and mining sectors, noting that similar arrangements had enabled the Navy to acquire vessels that are “paying for themselves.”

Commending the military high command for innovations such as locally developed drones, Fordjour cautioned against politicising the safety of soldiers or the presidency: “Never again must we politicise the safety of our soldiers. Never again must we politicise the safety of our President.”