The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed strong reservations about the government’s plan to procure ships for the Ghana Navy at a projected cost of €140 million.

Speaking during Parliament’s session on December 16, Dr Forson criticized the proposal, labelling it as unnecessary and ill-timed given the current state of the country’s finances.

He argued that such an acquisition would impose an undue financial burden on the incoming government, potentially adding $350 million in debt.

Dr. Forson warned that the Minority would resist any attempts to secure tax waivers or loans tied to the transaction, stating that Ghana’s economic stability must be protected. He called on the government to refrain from entering commitments that could limit the fiscal options available to the next administration.

The Minority Leader reiterated the need for prudent financial management, emphasising that decisions made in the final months of the current government should not jeopardise the country’s economic future.

“There are obvious attempts by this government to saddle the incoming government with a huge financial strain and I say this because before us they’re proposing to buy ships worth €140 million at this time. Mr Speaker, it is very wrong for a government that is leaving office in three weeks to commit €140 million. Mr Speaker, if it is extremely important for the State, allow the new government to commit to them

“Mr Speaker, the tax exemptions before us if approved will have a fiscal burden in the next budget. So you are saying that the next government should carry your burden of $350 million, Mr Speaker, no way, it’s not going to happen. Mr. Speaker, issues that will commit this country as far as the budget is concerned, let us leave it to the next administration to handle.”

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul emphasised the importance of the ships for the Ghana Navy, noting that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has granted approval for the government’s request to obtain a loan for their acquisition.

“He [Dr Ato Forson] knows that it was the IMF that had to agree to open up the space for Ghana to be able to take this because Ghana doesn’t have aircraft and ships for our military.

“We have the opportunity to purchase two ships from France for the Ghana Navy, if you think that we have to wait for the next administration we don’t have a problem at all, nobody has a problem at all, nobody has a problem at all.”