Gov’t Submits Contracts for Helicopters and New Presidential Jet to Parliament

The government has formally presented contracts for the procurement of four helicopters and a new presidential jet for the Ghana Air Force (GAF) to Parliament, marking a major step toward boosting the country’s military aviation capabilities.

The agreements, laid before the House on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, include two significant procurement deals with leading French aerospace manufacturers.

The first is a contract between the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Defence, and Airbus Helicopter (SAS) of France, valued at €125.97 million, for the supply of one H160 and three H175 helicopters to enhance the GAF’s operational fleet.

The second agreement is a sale-and-purchase contract between Ghana and Dassault Aviation, worth $60.68 million, for the acquisition of one Falcon 6X jet designated for the Air Force.

Following the presentation, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, referred the contracts to the Joint Committee on Defence and Interior for further scrutiny. He also directed the leadership of the Finance Committee to examine and report on the financial implications to the House.

The presentation of the agreements sparked political exchanges on the floor of Parliament, especially after the House approved the GH₵1.70 billion budget estimates for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa assured members that President John Dramani Mahama remains committed to prudent and transparent travel practices. He emphasised that the President currently flies commercial flights for all international engagements, distancing the administration from past controversies surrounding presidential jet charters.

“The minority can be assured that if President Mahama starts or even attempts to charter ultra-luxury jets like his predecessor did, you will certainly hear my voice,” Mr Ablakwa declared. “You are not hearing my voice now because what I used to complain about is not happening.”

He further disclosed that analysis conducted by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, showed that the expenditure on chartered flights under President Akufo-Addo could have purchased “a brand new jet” for the country.

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

During deliberations, the Second Deputy Minority Leader, Habib Iddrisu, criticised what he described as misplaced priorities in budget allocations. He argued that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received less than 50% of its requested budget for 2026, while the government was allocating significant resources toward aircraft procurement.

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

Mr Iddrisu accused Mr Ablakwa of being unusually silent on the purchase of the helicopters and jets, contrasting it with his past activism on presidential travel expenditures. He added pointedly that “anytime he ever finds himself here in 2029, he should know future prosperity will catch up with him.”

The joint Defence and Interior Committee, along with the Finance Committee, is expected to review the agreements and present their findings to Parliament for approval. If endorsed, the acquisitions will represent one of the most significant investments in Ghana’s military aviation fleet in recent years.

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