The government has presented the contract agreements for the acquisition of four helicopters and one presidential jet for the Ghana Air Force (GAF) to Parliament.

The first is the contract agreement between the government of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Defence, and Airbus Helicopter (SAS), France, for an amount of €125.97 million for the supply of one H160 and three H175 helicopters for the GAF.

The second is the sale and purchase contract agreement between the government of Ghana and Dassault Aviation, France, for an amount of $60.68 million for the acquisition of one Falcon 6X for the GAF.

The agreements were presented by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, to the House on Wednesday [Dec 3, 2025] and the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who was presiding referred them to the joint committees of Defence and Interior for consideration and report.

He also directed it to the leadership of the Finance Committee for consideration and report to the House.

Prudent path

Speaking after the House had approved the GH₵1.70 billion budget estimates for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sector minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the Minority could be certain that if President John Dramani Mahama “starts or even attempts” to charter ultra-luxury jets like his predecessor did “you will certainly hear my voice”.

“You are not hearing my voice now because what I used to complain about is not happening,” he said.

He told the House that President Mahama was currently flying commercial flights for all his international travels.

He also informed the House that per the analysis the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had done, the expenditure item he met at the Finance Ministry for President Akufo-Ado's charter jets could have bought “us a brand new jet”.

“So you should be commending me and you should actually be apologising to the people of this country that if President Akufo-Addo had listened to the honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, we would not have wasted resources as we have done. “

"President Mahama has now put us on prudent path where instead of just chattering and wasting taxpayer resources, he is rather going to engage in an investment that will serve the Ghana Armed Forces well,” he said.

Cancel purchase of aircrafts

Supporting the approval of the budget estimates for the Foreign Affairs Ministry earlier, the Second Deputy Minority Leader, Habib Iddrisu, said the Minority was of the view that the ministry should be given enough resources.

He said the Foreign Minister asked for over GH₵3 billion as the budget for his ministry in 2026 yet he was only given less than 50 per cent what he asked for.

“But majority of the money, over GH₵13 billion, is going to be used to buy four helicopters and two luxury jets- one long reach and one medium range- and you have said nothing about it.

“But you were rather very vocal that the President is flying first class, but we think they should cancel the money for the four helicopters and the two luxury jets that they will buy and give the money to the Foreign Affairs Minister,” he said.

Accusing Mr Ablakwa of being very quiet on the purchase of the helicopters and presidential jets, Mr Iddrisu drew the attention of the Foreign Affairs Minister that “anytime he ever finds himself here in 2029, he should know in future prosperity will catch up with him”.