Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, has fired shots at the John Mahama-led government over plans to purchase two jets.
According to Oppong Nkrumah, he was shocked that the Mahama government, which claims not to have fiscal space, now has space to buy two new executive jets.
He further questioned the government’s fiscal priorities, adding that the focus on new aircraft contradicts claims of fiscal discipline.
Oppong Nkrumah called on the NDC government to prioritise payments to contractors and other pressing domestic obligations.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 19, Oppong Nkrumah expressed his shock, “You say you don’t have fiscal space, you are doing fiscal discipline. So I was shocked to hear you say that now you have space to buy a new executive jet, two actually.
“You don’t have fiscal space to finish paying the contractors on outstanding projects, but you have fiscal space to buy two executive jets,” he said.
Also, Dominic Nitiwul, the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, has urged the Mahama government to apologise to Ghanaians and justify the need for new aircraft.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, November 20, Dominic Nitiwul stated, “I keep saying that if there is anybody in this room who knows the needs of the military, I have served them for eight years. I hold the same position I held last year and for the past eight years: it is not in our interest as a country not to have a strategic lift. We need it.”
“The government should own up. You want to buy two – own up, apologise to the people of Ghana, and convince us why you rejected the purchase for the last five years, and today you want to buy two: one long-range and one medium-size,” Nitiwul stated.
Furthermore, Ernest Henry Norgbey, a member of parliament for Ashaiman and a member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has said he does not see the noise about the new jets.
The lawmaker refuted allegations that Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor claims that the GHC13.1 billion for four aircraft and two presidential jets is a misplaced priority.
According to the Ashaiman MP, the criticisms of the aircraft procurement are a mere political rhetoric, adding that Ghana’s current economy provides sufficient fiscal space to retool and strengthen security agencies.
He further dismissed assertions that the government is acting irresponsibly.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, November 20, Ernest Henry Norgbey stated, “The economy, as we speak now, we have everything at stake to make sure all the agencies that were lagging in the previous administration for the past eight years are retooled. We have the know-how and the resources to ensure that these agencies receive what they need”.
“We all understand that the security services must be retooled. I don’t see the hullabaloo about dedicating funds to strengthen them. The economy today is better than it was under the past NPP regime. It may not be 100%, but it is significantly better,” he added.
The MP’s comments come on the back of Finance Minister Ato Forson announcing that the government will commence the procurement of four helicopters and two aircraft for the Ghana Air Force.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Mr Forson stated, “The Ghana Air Force will be retooled. Beginning in 2026, the Government of Ghana will initiate procurement processes for the acquisition of four modern helicopters, one long-range aircraft, and one medium-range aircraft. These are expected to be delivered within four years, provided the procurement is finalised in 2026”.
“In 2026, the government will procure two 72-meter Offshore Patrol Vessels equipped with helipads and combat systems. These vessels will enable the Navy to conduct long-endurance patrols, safeguard the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), prevent maritime crimes, protect critical offshore infrastructure, and support bunkering and oil field security operations,” he noted.