Defence Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei has announced that the government is advancing plans to procure new naval vessels and aircraft to strengthen the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, November 10, when the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, led members of the Military High Command to brief him on the military’s current operational posture at The Square in Accra.
Mr Adjei said preparations were far advanced to acquire strategic military equipment for the Army, Navy and Air Force to enable them to effectively carry out their constitutional responsibilities and safeguard Ghana’s territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to improving the welfare and operational effectiveness of military personnel, assuring the service chiefs of government’s determination to provide the necessary resources and equipment.
The announcement follows recent bilateral engagements between Ghana and the Czech Republic, during which both countries explored opportunities for a defence manufacturing partnership.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Agyapong appealed for sustained government support through the provision of additional air and maritime assets, as well as operational vehicles, to improve troop mobility, surveillance and the military’s ability to respond to emerging security threats.
He also updated the minister on ongoing welfare and accommodation initiatives, including the Burma Camp Redevelopment Project, which is expected to provide modern housing for military personnel.
The CDS further disclosed plans to establish a Ghana Armed Forces Trust Fund to provide long-term welfare support for serving personnel, retired soldiers and their families.
Beyond its core defence responsibilities, he noted that the Armed Forces had continued to support civil authorities through activities such as flood relief operations and the clearance of the right-of-way for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project.
The briefing also covered military retooling, operational readiness, infrastructure development and troop welfare, with members of the Military High Command outlining key priorities for strengthening the Armed Forces.
Among the senior officers present were the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong; Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing; and Chief of Staff at General Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai.
