Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has raised serious concerns over the government’s plan to acquire four helicopters and two medium-sized aircrafts. The acquisition, set to begin in 2026, will cost the country approximately 1.2 billion Ghana cedis.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page today, Nyarko questioned the government’s priorities, noting the stark contrast between the proposed aircraft purchase and the ongoing struggles with critical public sector staffing shortages.
“The 2026 budget (paragraph 1091) outlines the acquisition of four helicopters and two medium-sized aircrafts at a cost of 1.2 billion cedis. Meanwhile, the government says it lacks the resources to address the over 150,000 graduate nurses and newly trained teachers still waiting for employment,” Nyarko wrote. “If the previous government was heavily criticized for acquiring just one aircraft, why should Ghanaians now believe that the country is in a position to spend such an enormous sum on planes and helicopters?”
Nyarko’s comments come in the wake of Finance Minister Ato Forson’s budget presentation, which included the plan to purchase the aircrafts. Despite the government’s focus on aviation, key sectors like healthcare and education continue to face challenges with employment.
According to Nyarko, the government’s priority should be addressing the pressing needs of newly trained nurses and teachers who have been left in limbo due to the lack of job opportunities. As of now, more than 150,000 graduate nurses are reportedly waiting for employment, while thousands of newly trained teachers remain without positions despite the country’s growing demand for qualified personnel in schools.
“At a time when thousands of Ghanaians are struggling to find work in vital sectors like healthcare and education, it seems irresponsible to spend such a large sum on aircrafts,” Nyarko stated. “How can the government justify this expenditure when there are immediate needs that have yet to be addressed?”
Source: metrotvonline.com
