The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has launched a scathing attack on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, accusing it of hypocrisy and prioritizing travel luxury over bolstering Ghana’s military capabilities in the 2026 budget.
In a post shared shortly after Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, Rev. Fordjour highlighted what he described as a glaring contradiction in the NDC’s approach to defence procurement.
“After rejecting President Akufo-Addo’s proposal to acquire aircraft, 2 offshore patrol vessels and 6 fighter jets for the Ghana Armed Forces on the floor of Parliament while they were in opposition, the NDC now plans to acquire 2 Luxury Jets, 4 helicopters and 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels in 2026 Budget,” Rev. Fordjour stated in his post on the social media platform X.
He expressed deep disappointment that the budget allocations favoured executive transport over combat assets.
“While our gallant soldiers would have expected acquisition of fighter jets and UAVs to resource the might of Ghana Armed Forces as a fighting force, they chose to prioritize their travel luxury,” he noted.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, demanded an “unqualified apology” from the NDC to Ghanaians and former President Nana Akufo-Addo for what he termed “palpable hypocrisy and bad faith in dealing with Defence and Security matters.”
His remarks come on the heels of the Finance Minister’s announcement of a comprehensive retooling initiative for the Ghana Armed Forces, aimed at modernizing the Air Force and Navy.
Dr. Ato Forson revealed that starting in 2026, the government would initiate procurement for four modern helicopters, one long-range aircraft, and one medium-range aircraft, with deliveries expected within four years subject to timely processes.
The minister also disclosed plans to renegotiate a 2020 supplier credit agreement for 19 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which would be re-presented to Parliament for approval.
Additionally, the budget includes provisions for two offshore patrol vessels to enhance naval operations.
However, Rev. Ntim Fordjour zeroed in on the decision to acquire the long-range and medium-range aircraft, which he described as “luxury jets,” arguing that it highlights a misplaced focus amid pressing security needs in the sub-region.
His criticism comes on the back of heated parliamentary debates under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, where the NDC minority, including now-prominent figures, vehemently opposed defence spending proposals.
The rejections, according to critics like Rev. Ntim Fordjour, delayed critical upgrades for the military, leaving gaps in air and maritime defence capabilities.