General News of Monday, 14 May 2012Source: citifmonline.com Vice President John Dramani Mahama has hinted that government has planned to deliver 4 new aircraft to the Ghana Air Force by close of July this year as it massively retools the Armed Forces.

The Vice President made this known when he commissioned the second CASA 295 Aircraft at the Air Force base in Accra with its accompanying equipment and some vehicles for distribution to the Ghana Air Force.

According to Mr. Mahama governments success in retooling the Armed forces can be attributed to the prudent management of the nation’s economy by the Mills led administration.

It is recalled that the retooling of the armed forces was a major bone of contention between the NDC and NPP.
The debate saw the NPP arguing that the millions of dollars to be spent on the various aircraft amongst others could be used to intervene in other sectors of the economy.

He said “this was in line with government’s strategic decision of re-equipping and revamping the Ghana Armed Forces to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

It is hoped that this would enable the armed forces handle the threats associated with our new vibrant economic environment which has been occasion by the oil find and governments prudent management of the economy over the last three years.

“Under this program, the Navy has received so far, five new vessels and two more are expected before end of the year from Germany. Therefore as you are aware the Ghana Air Force has received two new CASA 295’s and has also recently taken delivery of another 3 Diamond surveillance aircraft.

“Probably in the next few months, hopefully by July should take delivery of another four MI 17 helicopters. The Army has received some armored personnel carriers and trucks and government is in the process of securing more APC’s and armored personnel carriers and tanks for the army.”

On his part defence Minister Lieutenant General Joseph Henry smith who had a hard time in parliament defending some of the loans for the purchase of the equipment’s says investment in infrastructure for the armed forces cannot be described as waste but rather very prudent.**