The Ministry of Defence is facing a debt crisis with food suppliers, who are threatening to halt services due to an outstanding debt of GHS275 million, which has accumulated over 17 months.
The Ministry’s total debt amounts to GHS3.7 billion, covering various expenses such as equipment supply, repairs, and machinery provision.
Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, confirmed that the Finance Ministry is working to clear these arrears during a debate on the 2025 Budget.
Speaking in Parliament in Accra on Friday, March 21, 2025, he stated, “It must be noted that the total outstanding debt stands at nearly GHS3.7 billion, which includes payments to food suppliers, equipment supplies and repairs, and machinery. We all know that soldiers must not march on empty stomachs. However, food suppliers have threatened to withhold supplies to the Ghana Armed Forces due to unpaid debts dating back from August 2023 to December 2023, totaling GHS275 million.”
Dr. Boamah reassured that with responsible fiscal management, the Finance Minister has promised to address current claims and find creative solutions to settle the outstanding arrears.
