$96 Million on National Cathedral Could Have Funded Four New Ghana Air Force Helicopters – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has drawn attention to the trade-offs involved in major national projects, noting that the $96 million (approximately GH¢96 million) spent on the National Cathedral could have been redirected to bolster the Ghana Air Force with four new helicopters.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Dr. Forson highlighted the importance of balancing symbolic national projects with critical defence and security needs. He emphasised that while the National Cathedral represents a significant cultural and religious milestone, the same resources could have been used to strengthen the country’s operational military capacity.

“This is a matter of opportunity cost,” Dr. Forson said. “Funds allocated to the Cathedral could have gone a long way to enhance our national security, particularly by acquiring new aircraft for the Ghana Air Force, which are urgently needed to modernise our defence capabilities.”

The Minister’s comments come amid ongoing public debates over the funding priorities of large-scale state projects. Critics have previously argued that the National Cathedral, though symbolic, has absorbed substantial public resources that could otherwise support social services, education, healthcare, and national security.

A comparative look at procurement costs shows that the GH¢96 million expenditure aligns closely with the projected cost of acquiring four new multi-role helicopters for the Ghana Air Force, underlining the potential alternative use of these funds. Analysts note that modern helicopters would enhance surveillance, troop mobility, and disaster response capacity, providing tangible, operational benefits.

Defence experts have welcomed the discussion, urging policymakers to carefully weigh the long-term impacts of such large-scale projects against pressing national security needs. Some have suggested that future projects include a detailed cost-benefit analysis to ensure fiscal prudence while balancing symbolic and strategic objectives.

Dr. Forson concluded by stressing that government decisions must reflect both the aspirations of the nation and practical priorities, ensuring that limited resources achieve maximum national benefit.