Minority Slams Government's €140m Navy Ship Deal
A contentious plan by Ghana's government to purchase two ships for the country's navy has sparked fierce opposition from the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. The deal, valued at €140 million, has been criticized as ill-timed and financially burdensome.
Dr. Forson expressed his reservations in Parliament, citing the country's precarious financial situation and the potential long-term implications of the deal. He argued that the acquisition would add a substantial debt of $350 million, which would be unsustainable for the country.
The Minority Leader warned that his party would resist any attempts to secure tax waivers or loans tied to the transaction, emphasizing the need to protect Ghana's economic stability. He called on the government to reconsider the deal and instead focus on more pressing national priorities.
“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,'' he stated.
“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,'' he added.
Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul defended the deal, stating that the ships were essential for the Ghana Navy's operations and that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had approved the government's request for a loan to finance the 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,'' he stated.
Source: Lead News Online
