The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has criticised the government for what he calls unauthorised military deployments to Benin and Jamaica, as well as the domestic display of armed security forces on the streets of Accra, all carried out without prior parliamentary approval.
According to Rev. Fordjour, the actions of the Ministry of Defence and the Executive demonstrate a troubling disregard for Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.
“What should have come to Parliament for prior approval was never brought. These are key national security decisions, yet Parliament was completely sidelined,” he stated.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Wednesday, the Assin South MP disclosed that lawmakers only learned about Ghanaian troops being sent to Benin and Jamaica for humanitarian and reconstruction support following a hurricane through media reports.
While the Minority affirmed that it does not oppose international assistance in principle, Rev. Fordjour emphasised that procedure and accountability must not be ignored.
“We have no problem with the principle of assisting friendly countries. However, Parliament must be consulted to interrogate the cost, duration, framework, and objectives of such deployments,” he said.
He further noted that bypassing parliamentary approval prevents lawmakers from ensuring transparency, value for money, and the protection of national interests.
Rev. Fordjour warned that the Executive’s actions reflect an alarming trend, stressing that Ghana is not a one-party state and cannot be run as if Parliament does not exist.
He also questioned why Parliament was consulted over the procurement of military helicopters yet was ignored when it came to deploying troops abroad.
The Ranking Member cast doubt on the necessity and effectiveness of sending troops to Benin, referencing past regional interventions. “We have seen similar deployments in the sub-region where troops were sent to protect democracy, yet coups still occurred while they were present,” he noted.
He questioned the tangible impact of Ghana’s troops in Benin, especially considering the financial burden on taxpayers.
Rev. Fordjour also condemned the heavy deployment of armed military, police, fire service, and immigration officers on the streets of Accra, describing it as misplaced, inappropriate, and wasteful.
According to him, Accra is not a flashpoint, and displaying force in front of the Supreme Court and High Court achieves no meaningful security objective.
He insisted that if the government intended to demonstrate security strength, it should focus on known flashpoints, including Bawku and surrounding conflict areas, galamsey-prone zones where security officers face danger, and border communities experiencing displacement and refugee flows.
Rev. Fordjour linked the controversial 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 leading to poor and questionable decisions,” he said.
The Minority is demanding urgent explanations from the Minister for Defence, the Minister for the Interior, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, warning that it will not remain unconcerned while taxpayers’ money is spent on misguided deployments and misplaced priorities.
Watch the Minority addressing the press:
