Former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwa-Manu has warned that Ghana risks compromising critical security decision-making due to the continued absence of a substantive Defence Minister.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, Mr. Amankwa-Manu argued that certain high-level decisions within the security architecture can only be taken by a fully appointed minister and not the Chief of Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister.
“If you have a substantive minister, it becomes easier for him to deal with the Ministry of Defence from the other front. There are certain cooperation agreements with other nations pertaining to security, also with the army, that you need a substantive minister to really deal with. And so not to have a substantive minister, for me, it’s a problem because that ministry is very sensitive and very strategic,” he said.
According to him, without a substantive minister, key matters affecting the military may not receive the necessary advocacy and coordination at the Council.
“The Defence Minister sits as a member of the Security Council. There are issues about the Ghana Armed Forces that a substantive minister will have to carry to the Council. If you don’t have that, it becomes a problem,” he said.
Referencing recent security concerns, including attacks on Ghanaians in Burkina Faso, the former Deputy Minister noted that international defence cooperation requires ministerial-level engagement.
Mr. Amankwa-Manu maintained that prolonged delays in appointing a substantive minister could weaken coordination, diplomacy, and rapid response mechanisms.
While acknowledging the efforts of existing officials within the ministry, he insisted that full ministerial authority is indispensable in matters of national security.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com