GAF’s procurement of new aircraft is still in the works – Defence Minister
Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of Defence, has informed Parliament that negotiations with various stakeholders are underway to acquire a new executive aircraft for the Ghana Air Force (GAF) to allow it to protect the country and carry out its responsibilities more effectively.
He stated that such talks among the government, Parliament, religious entities, trade unions, and civil society organizations were part of the process of purchasing new wide-body aircraft for the GAF to carry out the official activity.
“The military triggered the consultation process, and such consultations will continue until the Minister of Defence is satisfied that the people of Ghana, whether through Parliament, the Executive, or the people themselves, have been able to convince themselves that buying a ship to defend themselves and buying an aircraft to do government business is something that we can afford and indeed need,” he said.
GAF’s procurement of new aircraft is still in the works
In response to a question on the floor of Parliament yesterday, Mr Nitiwul stated that the signal he had received from all engagements was that, in the absence of Ghana Airways, having an aircraft to facilitate government business was critical.
“Mr Speaker, the log book of CASA 295, a pure military aircraft, is so filled that it is not safe for us to continue to rely on the military to carry government employees, including Members of Parliament,” he stated.
He informed the House that the GAF did not determine the cost of an aircraft, but that if the government decided to acquire an aircraft and chose a vendor, the vendor would make the cost of the aircraft public.
“When I contacted Boeing and Airbus, they both said it would take roughly three years for them to be able to deliver a new aircraft to Ghana.”
“What it simply means is that if I made a decision today and the government had the funds for the Ministry of Defence to acquire the aircraft, the earliest an aircraft might arrive would be in the first quarter of 2025.” “This present President will not fly as President; he may fly as an ex-President,” he remarked.
source: graphiconline
