Security analyst Richard Kumadoe has weighed in on the growing national debate over Ghana’s defence spending, emphasizing that strengthening the country’s security apparatus is a necessity that should not be compromised.
The discussion was reignited after Damongo MP Samuel A. Jinapor criticised the government’s decision to allocate GH¢13.1 billion for four helicopters and two presidential jets at a time when many public sector workers are reportedly owed salaries. Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul also questioned the move, recalling that similar defence proposals were rejected when his administration was in office.
However, appearing on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, November 22, Kumadoe took a broader view, arguing that Ghana’s long-term security requirements must be insulated from political disagreements. He stressed that investment in equipment is central to the effectiveness of the military and other security institutions, especially during emergency operations.
According to him, retooling the security services should be seen as foundational to national stability, not a point of contention.
“For me, whatever we will use and wherever we will find the money—especially when the economy is doing well—to retool the military and other security agencies is the best way to go. If all the security agencies are adequately equipped, we won’t be having this discussion,” he said.
Kumadoe’s position underscores a larger question the country continues to grapple with: how to balance critical defence needs with competing budgetary demands, including public-sector welfare. As fiscal pressures mount, the debate over where to prioritise limited resources is expected to intensify.
