The Minority has taken a swipe at the government over what it describes as unauthorised deployment of Ghanaian troops to Benin and Jamaica.
The actions of the Ministry of Defence and the Executive, according to the Caucus, amount to a blatant disregard for Parliament’s constitutional oversight mandate on national security matters.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who addressed the media in Parliament lamented that what should have come to Parliament for prior approval was never brought. “These are key national security decisions, yet Parliament was completely sidelined,” Rev. he stated.
Rev. Fordjour revealed that lawmakers only became aware—through media reports—that Ghanaian troops had been deployed to Benin, and subsequently to Jamaica to support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts following a hurricane.
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While the Minority said it does not oppose Ghana’s assistance to friendly countries, Rev. Fordjour insisted that due process and accountability must not be ignored.
“We have no problem with the principle of assisting friendly nations. However, Parliament must be consulted to interrogate the cost, duration, framework and objectives of such deployments,” he stressed.
He noted that bypassing Parliament denies legislators the opportunity to ensure transparency, value for money and the protection of Ghana’s national interest.
Rev. Fordjour warned that the conduct of the Executive reflects a worrying pattern, arguing that Ghana is not a one-party state and cannot be governed as though Parliament does not exist.
He questioned why Parliament was consulted over the procurement of military helicopters, yet ignored when it came to the deployment of troops beyond Ghana’s borders.
The Ranking Member also cast doubt on the effectiveness and justification of sending troops to Benin, citing past regional interventions where similar deployments failed to prevent coups.
“We have seen troops deployed in the sub-region to protect democracy, yet coups still occurred while they were present,” he observed.
He questioned the tangible impact Ghana’s deployment would make in Benin, especially considering the financial burden on the taxpayer.
Rev. Fordjour also criticised the heavy display of armed military, police, fire service and immigration officers on the streets of Accra, describing it as misplaced, inappropriate and a waste of state resources.
According to him, Accra is not a security flashpoint, and therefore parading armed forces in front of the Supreme Court and High Court serves no security purpose.
He argued that if the government intended to demonstrate security strength, it should focus on known flashpoints.
Rev. Fordjour linked the controversial security decisions to the absence of a substantive Minister for Defence, noting that the ministry has been without a permanent head for months.
“A sensitive ministry like Defence cannot be left vacant or combined with another busy ministry. This administrative lapse is resulting in poor and questionable decisions,” he said.
The Minority demanded urgent explanations from the Minister for Defence, Minister for the Interior, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, warning it will not remain silent while taxpayers’ money is expended on misguided deployments and misplaced priorities.