A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has questioned the government’s decision to deploy military engineers to Jamaica while several devastated communities in Ghana remain unrepaired.
Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Zaato said the country has unresolved infrastructure challenges that could benefit from the expertise of the 48th, 49th and 50th Engineer Regiments currently being sent to support Jamaica’s reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Melissa.
“We have so many areas in Ghana that still need rebuilding,” he said. “Have we finished fixing the Volta Region after the tidal wave destruction? There are deprived communities across the country that could make good use of the expertise of these engineering regiments.”
Dr Zaato argued that the government seems more eager to demonstrate its capabilities internationally than to address urgent local infrastructure needs. He cited broken bridges and damaged road networks, especially along routes connecting towns like Denu and Keta, as examples of areas where military engineers could be deployed.
“It seems that when it comes to international missions, we want to show the world what we can do,” he added, “but at home, we are reluctant or unwilling to deploy the same resources to solve our own problems.”
His comments follow Ghana’s deployment of troops from the 48th, 49th and 50th Engineer Regiments to Jamaica to support reconstruction works after Hurricane Melissa’s widespread destruction.
The soldiers were officially sent off at a parade addressed by President John Mahama, who described the mission as a humanitarian obligation rooted in Ghana’s long-standing solidarity with the Caribbean nation.
Addressing the troops, President Mahama said the deployment reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to assisting countries in need, emphasising that the partnership with Jamaica reflected shared history and cooperation.
While acknowledging the importance of international solidarity, Dr. Zaato maintained that Ghana must balance external commitments with pressing domestic needs. He called on government to ensure that similar levels of attention and resources are directed toward rebuilding affected Ghanaian communities.
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