The government yesterday tabled a purchase agreement in Parliament for the acquisition of C-295 CASA Aircraft and related equipment estimated to cost the nation €33.3 million.
The money is from the $300 million loan agreement between Ghana and VTB Capital plc, London, as facility arranger and agent for United Nations Peacekeeping operations by the Ghana Armed Forces.
The Minister of Defence, Benjamin Kunbuor, laid the agreement and it was referred to the Finance Committee of Parliament for proper scrutiny and report back to the plenary.
The minority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, cautioned government to do due diligence before the purchase is made because similar purchase of an aircraft under this government ended up in some ‘shady deals.’
He also called on the Finance Committee to do due diligent work and ask for all details of the agreement, including bolts and nuts.
“We have seen this before and we do not want a similar thing to happen,” he underscored.
The details of the agreement are not yet known and the Finance Committee is expected to probe all the details before it presents its report to the plenary for consideration and eventual debate and approval.
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