The Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has expressed strong criticism over the government’s plan to purchase two jets, questioning the timing and fiscal priorities of such a move.
His comments follow the recent announcement by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson during the presentation of the 2026 Budget, which outlined plans to procure four modern helicopters, one long-range aircraft, and one medium-range aircraft for the Ghana Air Force.
The minister explained that the acquisition is aimed at retooling the security forces, improving operational efficiency, and addressing challenges arising from an ageing fleet.
Oppong Nkrumah questioned the government’s fiscal priorities, suggesting that the focus on new aircraft contradicts claims of fiscal discipline. The MP called on the authorities to prioritise payments to contractors and other pressing domestic obligations before committing to high-cost purchases.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 19, Nkrumah said he was “shocked” that the government claims to have fiscal space for luxury aircraft while failing to settle payments to contractors on outstanding projects.
“You say you don’t have fiscal space, you are doing fiscal discipline. So I was shocked to hear you say that now you have space to buy a new executive jet, two actually.
“You don’t have fiscal space to finish paying the contractors on outstanding projects but you have fiscal space to buy two executive jets,” he said.
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