Ghana’s security at risk without urgent military retooling – Nitiwul warns

Former Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, has called on the government to place the retooling of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at the top of the national agenda. He cautioned that delay could expose the country to grave security threats.

In an interview with JoyNews on Sunday, August 17, 2025, the lawmaker revealed that during his time as Defence Minister, he developed a framework to secure sustainable funding for the Armed Forces through the exploitation of natural resources in northern Ghana.

According to him, the plan—if implemented—would allow the military to access as much as \$300 million annually without introducing new 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,” Mr. Nitiwul explained.

He disclosed that Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who succeeded him at the Defence Ministry, had already secured presidential approval for the initiative and was preparing to present it before Cabinet. He urged President John Dramani Mahama to ensure the process is concluded swiftly.

Mr. Nitiwul warned that inaction could leave Ghana dangerously vulnerable.
“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 cautioned.

While describing Ghana’s military as one of the most formidable in the West African subregion, he stressed that deliberate investment was required to sustain its reputation. He listed critical needs such as two offshore patrol vessels, helicopter gunships, troop transport aircraft, and six fighter jets—all of which he had ordered during his tenure but require follow-through by the current administration.

The Bimbilla MP lamented the shrinking capital expenditure in the defence budget, which he said was denying the Armed Forces vital equipment even as the wage bill for personnel rises. This imbalance, he added, has resulted in highly trained pilots and naval captains leaving the service to take up lucrative offers 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 observed.

Addressing the ongoing public debate on military aircraft acquisitions, Mr. Nitiwul rejected suggestions that outdated helicopters had been procured. He explained that the Armed Forces purchase equipment directly from manufacturers, with Ghanaian officers supervising the process. He also clarified that the so-called “presidential jet” is, in fact, an Air Force asset that serves broader national functions.

“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.

Beyond weapons, he noted, strengthening the Armed Forces also means protecting jobs, safeguarding investments, and preserving Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy.

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“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,” Mr. Nitiwul insisted.