Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has disclosed the significant financial burden inherited by his ministry from the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, July 21, Dr. Boamah revealed that the Defence Ministry was confronted with a staggering institutional debt of over GHC3.7 billion (GHC3,790,415,326.67) upon assumption of office.
He further noted that an additional hidden debt of more than US$32 million (US$32,640,300.32), owed by the Ghana Armed Forces, was later uncovered by the current Military High Command.
These debts, he said, continue to pose a serious challenge to the sector.
“We inherited a staggering institutional debt burden of over GHC3.7 billion (GHC3,790,415,326.67). Hidden debt of over US$32 million (US$32,640,300.32) owed by the Ghana Armed Forces was later uncovered by the current Military High Command. These legacy debts continue to constrain our ability to invest adequately in critical defence priorities and welfare infrastructure.”
“Alongside this, we are contending with a 17,000-unit accommodation deficit for our brave men and women in uniform. These are not just figures; they are realities that affect operational readiness, troop morale, and the dignity of service,” he stated.
Despite the severity of the situation, Dr. Boamah assured that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is committed to addressing these inherited challenges.
“But let me assure you: these are not lamentations, they reaffirm our determination to resolve these problems—first by acknowledging that they exist. And deciding that never again should a government mismanage the nation’s economy to this depressing level. We are fixing the challenges! Our well-designed programmes are working!”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
