Parliament has approved a $60.68 million deal for the acquisition of a new presidential jet for the Ghana Air Force (GAF), alongside a separate agreement for four helicopters, in a move the government says will strengthen national security and modernise the military’s air capabilities. 
On Wednesday, the government — represented by the Ministry of Defence — laid before Parliament two key contracts: one for a new presidential jet from the French firm Dassault Aviation, and another for four helicopters supplied by Airbus Helicopter (SAS), also of France. 
The Dassault contract covers a single Falcon 6X jet — to be operated by the Ghana Air Force — for $60.68 million. 
The Airbus contract, valued at €125.97 million, will supply one H160 and three H175 helicopters. 
The documents were presented to the House by Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi, and were referred to the joint Committees on Defence and Interior, as well as the Finance Committee, for review. 
Supporters of the deal argue that instead of continuing to charter expensive private jets for official travel, acquiring a dedicated presidential aircraft will be fiscally and operationally prudent — and deliver long-term value to the Ghana Armed Forces. 
In Parliament, the NDC side pointed out that the previous administration’s heavy reliance on charter flights already exceeded the cost of a jet. By investing in aircraft owned and maintained by the state, they say, the government is reducing long-term expenditure while building national capacity. 
Not everyone welcomed the move. Members of the minority questioned the timing — with the country still grappling with economic hardship following a recent loan programme by the International Monetary Fund and widespread calls for fiscal restraint. 
Some lawmakers argued that the funds earmarked for aircraft would be better directed to under-funded ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recently received a budget far short of what it requested. 
One lawmaker warned that while presidential travel by luxury charter jets is no longer a priority, committing so much to expensive new aircraft may still be seen as extravagant under current economic conditions. 
The crash earlier this year added urgency to modernisation
Supporters of the procurement link the decision to the tragic crash of a GAF helicopter on 6 August 2025 that killed eight people — including government ministers — which exposed the limitations of Ghana’s ageing air fleet. 
In response, the government unveiled a broader military modernisation agenda under the 2026 budget, with procurement of new helicopters and aircraft viewed as a priority to prevent future tragedies and enhance capacity for airlift, emergency response, and defence. 
The referred contracts will now be scrutinised by the joint Defence and Interior Committees and the Finance Committee. If they report favourably, the House will vote on ratification, after which procurement and delivery processes can begin.
