Police Service’s 1976 Helicopters Bought Under Akufo-Addo Government Are ‘Flying Coffins’ – Ernest Norgbey

Police Service’s 1976 Helicopters Bought Under Akufo-Addo Government Are ‘Flying Coffins’ – Ernest Norgbey

Member of Parliament for Ashaiman and a member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has raised serious concerns about the state of three helicopters acquired for the Ghana Police Service.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnite, Mr. Norgbey described the aircraft, manufactured in 1976, as “flying coffins” that are completely unfit for use. He revealed that the nearly 50-year-old helicopters have been grounded since their delivery and remain idle in a hangar.

“The 1976 helicopters that were delivered, as we speak now, they cannot be used because they were not fit for purpose. A 1976 aircraft that is a flying coffin,” he said.

His comments follow public debate on whether police helicopters could have been deployed in last week’s tragic military helicopter crash to aid search and rescue operations.

Mr. Norgbey also addressed the status of another set of helicopters promised by the previous government. In October 2021, President Akufo-Addo announced plans to deliver three new helicopters to the Ghana Police Service by November of that year, alongside officer training and hangar preparations. However, those aircraft have yet to arrive.

According to him, the delay is linked to Ghana’s debt restructuring challenges. “We were made to understand that was due to the debt restructuring during that period,” he explained.

The revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny over government spending and procurement processes, particularly in the acquisition of critical security equipment.