Defence Ministry left with GH¢3.79bn debt — Dr Omane Boamah
The Ministry of Defence has uncovered $32.64 million (GH¢3.79 billion) in hidden debts inherited from the previous administration.
The Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who revealed this while addressing the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, said there was also severe accommodation shortages affecting 17,000 personnel.
He described the debt burden as "a major constraint on our ability to invest adequately in critical defence priorities and welfare infrastructure".
The disclosure formed part of a broader presentation outlining the ministry's ambitious reform agenda.
The minister said the government planned to inject some $1 billion over the next three and half years to modernise military equipment and facilities in the country.
This would be accompanied by a major recruitment drive of 12,000 personnel into the armed forces, the largest recruitment drive in recent memory, and an extensive housing construction programme to deliver 10,000 new units for military families, he added.
Irregularities
The minister also revealed systemic irregularities in previous recruitment exercises, with 452 persons investigated for fraud and 210 applicants disqualified for failing eligibility checks.
"The days of paying to join the military are over," Dr Boamah said, adding that, "Under President Mahama, selection will be strictly merit-based," he said.
Dr Boamah announced a complete overhaul of recruitment processes after audits exposed that 2,872 potential recruits from 2021 had been left in limbo, with many now aged out of service eligibility.
He said the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) was poised for transformation as the government rolled out plans to modernise the military under President John Dramani Mahama's Reset Agenda.
Combating threats
With West Africa's security landscape deteriorating, marked by five coups in neighbouring countries since 2020, Dr Boamah said Ghana was moving decisively to strengthen its defences.
He said the $1 billion military retooling programme would, therefore, provide state-of-the-art equipment, while the Navy would expand patrols to protect critical energy infrastructure, including offshore oil fields and hydroelectric dams.
The minister said the military's role in domestic security operations was also expanding as GAF units recently led successful operations to reclaim forest reserves from illegal miners.
He said they would also play a central role in the renewed fight against galamsey through the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat.
Welfare
The minister further outlined groundbreaking benefits for military veterans.
He said a revitalised Veterans Administration would pursue aggressive recovery of stolen assets, while the implementation of the MahamaCares health programme would provide comprehensive coverage for chronic conditions prevalent among ex-service personnel.
Dr Boamah said the completion of the Afari Military Hospital and a new Tamale Field Hospital would significantly improve healthcare access for veterans nationwide.
Additionally, he said veterans would share in profits from the Defence Industries Holding Company, a first in Ghana's history.
The minister said a collaboration with the Ghana Bauxite Company would deliver 180km of new roads, while the GAF would provide technical support for the ambitious Accra-Kumasi expressway project under the 24-Hour Economy initiative.
