Abu Jinapor Raises Concerns over US$1.2bn Budgetary Allocation to Retool Military

Damongo Member of Parliament and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has sharply criticised the government’s decision to acquire two presidential jets and four helicopters for the Ghana Armed Forces, describing the move as excessive and poorly timed given the country’s current economic difficulties.

The procurement plan, outlined in the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament last week, sparked concerns among Jinapor.

Speaking to journalists after an animated budget debate, he stressed the need for transparency on the matter, warning of its significant impact on Ghana’s public finances.

“This matter has far-reaching implications for our national development and the public interest of Ghana. Our duty is to interrogate, examine, analyze, and present the facts so that the Ghanaian people understand how their taxes are being spent,” he said.

Jinapor cited page 136, paragraph 1091 of the budget, which states that the Ghana Air Force will be retooled beginning in 2026 with procurement processes set to start for four modern helicopters, one long-range presidential jet, and one medium-range presidential jet. He argued that the language leaves “absolutely no ambiguity” about the government’s intentions.

He further highlighted paragraph 1092, which details that the procurement will be financed over four years, with delivery expected in 2029 if all processes are concluded.

Drawing from various budget appendices, Jinapor outlined the financial allocation for the aircraft: GH¢2.682 billion in 2026, GH¢3.543 billion in 2027, GH¢3.330 billion in 2028, and GH¢3.596 billion in 2029—amounting to GH¢13.152 billion over the four years. Using an exchange rate of GH¢11 to the US dollar, he estimated the total cost at US$1.249 billion.

“Government is going to spend a whopping GH¢13 billion-plus to purchase these six aircraft—about $1.2 billion. Is this a prudent way of spending our taxes?” he questioned.

Jinapor contrasted the planned expenditure with what he described as widespread hardship across key sectors, citing unpaid arrears for nurses and teachers, challenges facing farmers, rotting rice in warehouses, low liquidity, and a modest 9% salary increment for workers.

“We find ourselves in a country where nurses are agitating, where arrears have not been paid, where rice is rotting in warehouses, and where farmers are having a raw deal. In such a climate, how can the government justify spending over a billion dollars on new presidential jets?” he asked.

He concluded by urging Ghanaians to judge the government’s priorities for themselves, adding, “Is this supposed to be the priority of our government? We leave the judgment to you, the dignified people of Ghana.”

Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com