Gov’t commits $1bn to modernise Ghana Armed Forces – Defence Minister

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:

1. Promote diversity and inclusion in the Armed Forces.
2. Support veterans’ welfare under the Mahama Cares initiative.
3. 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.”