Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for Damongo and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has criticised the government’s decision to purchase two presidential jets and four helicopters for the Ghana Armed Forces.
He described this decision, mentioned in the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament last week by the Finance Minister, as excessive and misplaced, especially given the current economic challenges facing the nation.
After a lively debate on the 2026 Budget, Jinapor spoke to journalists, emphasizing the importance of clarifying the facts due to the significant implications this decision could have on Ghana’s public finances. He stated,
“This matter has far-reaching implications for our national development and the public interest of Ghana. Our duty is to interrogate, examine, analyze, and present the facts so that the Ghanaian people understand how their taxes are being spent.”
Jinapor referred to page 136, paragraph 1091 of the 2026 Budget, which explicitly outlines the government’s acquisition plan. He stated, “The Ghana Air Force will be retooled starting in 2026. The government will begin the procurement processes for four modern helicopters, one long-range presidential jet, and one medium-range presidential jet.”
According to Jinapor, the language leaves absolutely no ambiguity about the government’s intentions.
The Damongo MP also pointed to paragraph 1092, which shows that the procurement will be financed over four years, with aircraft expected to be delivered if processes conclude in 2029.
Jinapor produced figures from various appendices of the budget: GH¢2.682 billion in 2026 (Appendix 4A – page 184); GH¢3.543 billion in 2027 (Appendix 4B – page 190); GH¢3.330 billion in 2028 (Appendix 4C – page 196)and GH¢3.596 billion in 2029 (Appendix 4D – page 202). This totals GH¢13.152 billion over the four years.
According to him, converted into the current US dollar exchange rate of GH¢11 per dollar, the Mahama administration will be ‘blowing US$1.249 billion of taxpayers’ money.
Jinapor warned: “Government is going to spend a whopping GH¢13 billion-plus to purchase these six aircraft. About $1.2 billion. Is this a prudent way of spending our taxes?”
The Damongo MP contrasted the aircraft spending with what he called the hardship facing key sectors of the economy.
He listed unpaid arrears for nurses and teachers, struggling farmers, poor food buffer management, and stagnant salaries.
“We find ourselves in a country where nurses are agitating, where arrears have not been paid, where rice is rotting in warehouses, where farmers are having a raw deal, where workers have been given only 9% salary increment, and liquidity is low. In such a climate, how can the government justify spending over a billion dollars on new presidential jets?” he quizzed.
“Is this supposed to be the priority of our government? We leave the judgment to you, the dignified people of Ghana,” he appealed.
