Ghana is safe but our soldiers are working with broken tools—Defence Minister raises alarm over military equipment
The Ghana Armed Forces have made progress in reducing maritime piracy and protecting offshore oil installations despite operating with severely limited equipment, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah has said.
Speaking at a press conference dubbed "the Government Accountability Series" on Monday, July 21, 2025, Dr Boamah said all three branches of the Armed Forces, the Army, Navy and Air Force, were operating with outdated equipment, yet continued to deliver on core national security tasks.
“Like the Ghana Army, the Ghana Air Force and the Ghana Navy, all three services of the Ghana Armed Forces have many unserviceable assets. Armoured personnel carriers, ships and boats, aircraft, etc. Very, very unserviceable,” Dr Boamah said.
Despite these challenges, he noted that the Ghana Navy had achieved success in protecting the country’s maritime domain. Regular patrols are now in place to protect offshore oil and gas infrastructure, including the Jubilee and Sankofa oil fields, helping to ward off potential threats.
Dr Boamah said the Navy had also improved security along the West Africa Gas Pipeline, reducing theft and acts of sabotage that could disrupt electricity supply. Within Ghana’s ports, anchorage and harbour patrols have enabled the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to continue 24-hour operations, supporting trade and commerce.
He said maritime crime, especially piracy, had declined due to targeted escort operations and the deployment of armed personnel aboard vessels. These measures, according to the minister, have kept sea routes safe and helped secure the country’s maritime economy.
Dr Boamah acknowledged the poor condition of military hardware across all three services but said the government had approved plans to re-equip the Armed Forces.
“We therefore appreciate the government’s decision to retool the Ghana Armed Forces,” he stated.
The Ghana Air Force, despite the state of its equipment, continues to conduct surveillance and airlift operations in support of national security. According to Dr Boamah, aerial reconnaissance missions have been conducted along the northern borders, while medical evacuation flights have been undertaken nationwide, albeit with limited aircraft.
He said Ghana remained “safe, stable, peaceful, and ready to experience a golden age” under current security arrangements, although he admitted that areas such as Bawku and Alavanyo continued to require close attention due to ongoing tensions.
Dr Boamah commended the service chiefs and men and women in uniform for their efforts under difficult conditions. He described their work as “not only a duty; it’s a national covenant”, and noted the urgent need to deliver the promised retooling programme to preserve Ghana’s security readiness.
The Armed Forces’ ability to operate effectively despite equipment shortfalls, he said, reflected the resolve of its personnel and the importance of continued investment in defence infrastructure.
