Speaker Urges Speedy Appointment Of Substantive Defence Minister
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior to expedite the process of selecting and officially appointing a substantive Minister for Defence.
Mr. Bagbin said that although the Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has demonstrated competence in managing the ministry, the heavy demands of the portfolio require a permanent appointment to ensure efficiency and accountability.
“I will direct our committee to follow up on the process and emphasize what others have said to expedite the appointment of a substantive minister. It’s not because the current acting minister is incapable, but we know the pressures on him, and we need someone who can provide full reports and address some of the issues raised,” he stated.
The Speaker made these remarks on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday after Members of Parliament delivered statements regarding the tragic stampede that occurred during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.
Mr. Bagbin also expressed concern over the country’s recruitment and enlistment practices within the security services, calling for a more efficient and continuous system to prevent future tragedies.
“What prevents this country from having a continuous recruitment or enlistment process?” he said.
Reports from the Ghana Armed Forces indicated that the recruitment exercise, which drew thousands of applicants from across the country, turned chaotic at several centres, resulting in stampedes and injuries.
In Kumasi and Accra, several applicants reportedly collapsed while attempting to enter overcrowded venues. The GAF has since confirmed that six people died in the incident at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, and urged the public to disregard false or unverified reports about the death toll.
