Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has announced a bold $1 billion investment to retool and modernise the Ghana Armed Forces over the next three and a half years.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, Dr. Boamah unveiled a 15-point vision aimed at transforming the military into a more modern, inclusive, and resilient force capable of tackling emerging security threats.
Key Modernisation Initiatives
Advanced Equipment: Procurement of tactical vehicles, body armour, digital communication systems, and new aerial assets including UAVs.
Manpower Boost: Enlistment of 12,000 additional personnel to strengthen operational capacity.
Military Housing: Construction of 10,000 housing units across military garrisons.
Defence Industry Push: Support for local production through the Defence Industries Holding Company (DIHOC).
Global Partnerships: Strengthening of bilateral and multilateral defence alliances.
Security and National Unity Focus
Dr. Boamah stressed the military’s preparedness to respond to threats like illegal mining, violent extremism, and climate-related crises including droughts and floods. He also outlined efforts to:
- Promote diversity and inclusion in the Armed Forces.
- Support veterans’ welfare under the Mahama Cares initiative.
- Train 10,000 youth in patriotism and disaster response under the National Service programme.
Vision for a Safer, United Ghana
“Our strength lies not just in arms, but in unity, resilience, and commitment to progress,” Dr. Boamah stated. He described the retooling agenda as a step toward a modernised, industrialised, and inclusive defence sector that aligns with national development.
“Security is the seabed of progress,” he added. “Let our guiding principle be: One Ghana, One Destiny.”
