Deputy Defence Minister Says Ministry Functioning Effectively
Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has dismissed concerns about a possible leadership vacuum at the Defence Ministry following calls for the appointment of a substantive minister.
The discussion comes after recent security incidents involving Ghanaian interests abroad. These include the killing of eight Ghanaian tomato traders in an attack in Burkina Faso and a separate incident involving a Ghanaian peacekeeping base serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.
Some members of Parliament have recently suggested that a substantive Defence Minister should be appointed after the death of former minister Edward Omane Boamah. However, speaking in a media interview, Brogya Genfi said the ministry continues to operate effectively under the current leadership structure.
According to him, the responsibility for appointing ministers lies solely with the President, John Dramani Mahama.
“There is no vacuum. There is a Minister responsible for the Defence Ministry and that Minister is Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson. As Deputy Minister, I assist the Minister in the performance of his functions as mandated by the Constitution. So there is no vacuum at the Ministry,” he said.
He explained that the existing arrangement ensures that administrative and operational duties at the ministry continue without disruption.
Brogya Genfi also noted that the current government structure operates with a relatively smaller number of ministers compared to previous administrations, adding that governance can still function efficiently within such an arrangement.
He said the president retains the constitutional authority to determine when or whether to appoint a substantive minister to the portfolio.
The Defence Ministry is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Ghana Armed Forces and coordinating national defence and security matters.
Despite recent developments involving Ghanaian nationals abroad and peacekeeping personnel, officials say the ministry’s work and responsibilities are continuing as expected under the present leadership structure.
