Vice President Opoku-Agyemang speaks on GH¢3.7bn Defence Ministry debt

The Chairperson of the newly sworn-in Ghana Armed Forces Council, Vice President Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has expressed concern over a GH¢3.7 billion debt owed by the Ministry of Defence, saying the burden is affecting the welfare of military personnel, including access to food and proper housing.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the Council at Jubilee House on Monday, March 24, 2025, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang revealed that of the total debt, GH¢275 million is owed to food suppliers alone.

“We are facing an economic crisis—that’s what it is—and this has saddled the Ministry of Defence with a debt of GH¢3.7 billion,” she said. “We need to improve infrastructure, including housing. We have a huge deficit.”

She added that while the Ghana Armed Forces continues to perform their duties under difficult circumstances, the financial strain is placing additional pressure on the institution’s capacity to meet basic needs.

Describing the event as more solemn than celebratory, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed the weight of the Council’s responsibilities.

“This is a very, very solemn event, more so than a celebratory one,” she said. “We are talking about the security of our country. It is not the appointment that we have fanfares about.”

According to her, the Council under her leadership will explore ways to help address the Armed Forces’ logistical and financial challenges, while also advising the President on defence and security matters.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also pointed to the potential of the Defence Industrial Holding Company (DIHOC) to support the country’s economic recovery.

She said the Armed Forces could engage more actively in local production efforts, including vehicle assembly, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing.

“It will not be too much to expect that in the manufacturing sector even vehicle assembly, pharmaceutical production, whatever we see our Ghana Armed Forces participating and participating effectively,” she noted.

She also pledged the Council’s support for President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy agenda, saying the military’s technical expertise and manpower could be aligned with the policy.

She ended by encouraging Ghanaians to view security as a shared responsibility.

“Security, as they say, is everybody’s business,” she said.