Retooling the Armed Forces must be treated as a national priority — Nitiwul

Former Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, has urged the government to treat the retooling of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) as an urgent national priority, warning that failure to act could expose the country to serious security risks.

Speaking in a television interview with JoyNews on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Mr Nitiwul said during his tenure as Defence Minister he initiated a plan to help generate sustainable funding for the Armed Forces from natural resources in the northern part of the country.

According to him, if the government fully adopts the arrangement, the military could secure up to $300 million annually without imposing additional taxes on citizens.

“What I did was to work with the Minister for Lands to hand over the enclave to the Defence Industries Holding Company, which could then partner with private investors. I have already engaged potential partners, and the government knows that if they decide to tap the resources in that area, the Armed Forces will get no less than $300 million every year to buy what they need,” he explained.

Mr Nitiwul said Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the immediate past Defence Minister had obtained presidential approval for the proposal and was preparing to present it to the Cabinet.

He appealed to the President to ensure the process is concluded quickly so the Armed Forces can benefit.

The MP cautioned that Ghana would “regret bitterly” if steps are not taken immediately to resource the military.

“You cannot have porous borders, defective equipment, and tools that the Armed Forces struggle to use and still expect them to defend you effectively. They cannot,” he said.

He stressed that while Ghana’s military is among the strongest in the subregion, its standing cannot be maintained without deliberate investment.

He pointed to needs such as two offshore patrol vessels, helicopter gunships, troop-carrying aircraft, and six fighter jets, which he had ordered during his tenure but which require follow-up by the government.

Mr Nitiwul also observed that limited capital expenditure in the defence budget was denying the Armed Forces the equipment they require, even as personnel compensation continues to rise. The result, he said, is the resignation of highly trained pilots and naval officers who are being recruited abroad.

“Once you don’t have the equipment for them, they will resign because they are needed. Our naval captains are resigning because they are needed around the world. They have the experience, and they cannot sit idle,” he said.

Commenting on public debate about military aircraft acquisitions, Mr Nitiwul dismissed claims that outdated helicopters had been purchased.

He explained that the Armed Forces acquire equipment directly from manufacturers, with Ghanaian officers present during production. He further clarified that the aircraft often described as the “presidential jet” is an Air Force asset that should serve the wider public.

“When you have a jet that can carry more people, the Speaker of Parliament will use it, chiefs will use it, footballers will use it, and journalists should be able to follow the president,” he said.

Mr Nitiwul said strengthening the Armed Forces was not only about weapons but also about jobs, safety, and national pride. He added that securing Ghana’s defence capability is necessary to protect communities, safeguard investments, and uphold the country’s reputation as a safe and stable democracy.

“The government must prioritise the retooling of the Armed Forces immediately. If we want Ghana to remain a safe haven for investment, for security, and for peace, then we cannot keep saying there is no money. There is money. It is about our priorities,” he maintained.