Ghana's Parliament Approves Acquisition of $60.7m Presidential Jet

Ghana’s Parliament has given the green light to a major retooling package for the Ghana Air Force, approving the purchase of a Falcon 6X presidential jet valued at $60.68 million along with four new helicopters worth €125.9 million. The move is aimed at strengthening national security operations and replacing the Air Force’s ageing fleet.

Details of the Acquisition

Aircraft Approved:

One Falcon 6X from Dassault Aviation ($60.68m).

Four helicopters — one H160 and three H175 — from Airbus Helicopters (€125.9m).

Reasoning:

Several aircraft, including the Mi-17, Z-9EH, Falcon 900EX, and two Casa C295Ms, are either unserviceable or severely limited.

Safety audits revealed defects in the Falcon 900EX, including corrosion and fuel leakage, making replacement urgent.

The agreements were presented by Deputy Defense Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi and scrutinized by the Defense and Interior Committee. The Committee emphasized that modern air assets are essential to counter threats such as terrorism, illegal mining, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and maritime crimes.

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member for Defense and Interior, described the approval as a “patriotic responsibility,” urging Parliament to move beyond partisan disputes that have historically stalled military acquisitions. He stressed the importance of oversight, pilot training, and maintenance structures to ensure sustainability.

Fordjour referenced the 2008 Kufuor administration’s aircraft procurement plan, which envisioned both long-haul and short-haul aircraft. That program was partly halted by the succeeding government, contributing to today’s aircraft deficit. He noted that while some MPs once hailed the Falcon 900EX as “pristine,” recent audits proved otherwise.

Beyond presidential mobility, the new aircraft are expected to bolster Ghana’s ability to service the oil and mining sectors, potentially generating revenue to finance future acquisitions. Parliament has also committed to holding the Defence Minister accountable for delivering on the government’s pledge to acquire a long-haul aircraft in line with the 2026 Budget.

Fordjour commended the military high command for innovations such as locally developed drones but cautioned that Parliament must never again politicize the safety of soldiers or the presidency.