The former Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul has placed the lives of Ghanaian soldiers at risk after overseeing the purchase of 53-year-old non-functional military vehicles from a scrapyard in Azerbaijan at a cost of US$8.8 million.
According to sources, Dominic Nitiwul oversaw the purchase of 20 armored vehicles by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). But sadly enough, these vehicles were manufactured during the era of the former Soviet Union and are not fit for active duty.
The armoured vehicles in question are, BTR-70 8×8 Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), originally manufactured in 1972 in the former Soviet Union.
Each vehicle reportedly cost US$440,000, bringing the total expenditure to US$8.8 million. They were supplied by Messrs Double ST Limited and sourced from Azerbaijan.
The vehicles were reportedly acquired from a scrapyard in Azerbaijan, where they had been abandoned due to their age and disuse.
The vehicles, now 53 years old, have been described “death traps” by military sources.
These vehicles are reportedly non-functional and pose a serious risk to the lives of Ghanaian soldiers serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Sudan.
The vehicle’s firing posts are said to be inoperable. Technical reports indicate that the APCs suffer from significant mechanical defects.
These, include oil and lubricant leakages that cause engines to overheat after minimal use, malfunctioning brake and clutch systems, unserviceable rear camera monitors, and the absence of intra- and inter-vehicular communication devices. These deficiencies make effective communication within the vehicles, between vehicles, or with base command impossible.
Blurred vision blocks and damaged side mirrors on several units supplied have resulted in compromising the vision of drivers
Under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian military procured these obsolete units.
According to sources within the Armed Forces, the APCs are entirely unsuitable for any military operation and present a grave danger to the personnel expected to operate them.
The vehicles described as liabilities. upon being deployed to Sudan as part of Ghana’s peacekeeping contribution were also deemed unfit for use by the United Nations, but the government refused to have them replaced.
Insiders disclosed that, the vehicles arrived in Ghana immobile and had to be transported to Burma Camp on flatbed trucks. Although, some refurbishment efforts were made, most of the APCs remain non-operational.
The seats were also found to be shredded, highlighting the poor condition of the equipment.
According to The Herald, the purchase was made during the tenure of Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Vice Admiral Seth Amoama.
However, sources allege that the procurement was heavily influenced by Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, who served as Army Commander then and eventually became CDS.
He is reported to have personally travelled to Azerbaijan with the suppliers to inspect and finalise the deal.
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Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul oversaw the purchase of 53-year-old non-functional military vehicles from a scrapyard in Azerbaijan at a cost of US$8.8 million.Each vehicle reportedly cost US$440,000 pic.twitter.com/ykMMi7h5tl
— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) April 25, 2025
