Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu says President John Dramani Mahama does not see an immediate need to appoint a substantive Defence Minister because the ministry continues to function effectively under the current arrangement.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews with Evans Mensah on Monday, the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP defended the prolonged vacancy at the Defence Ministry, despite earlier indications from President Mahama that an appointment would be made after Christmas.
“Any day that the President communicates to me that he has appointed a Defence Minister, I’ll make it known to you,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He rejected suggestions that the absence of a substantive minister had created weaknesses within Ghana’s security structure.
“But I think that by and large, we have held the fort, and the government has functioned effectively. There’s not been any lapses, as far as I know, in terms of Ghana’s defence architecture,” he said.
According to him, the ministry’s operational capacity has rather improved in recent months, particularly through the acquisition of military equipment and ongoing retooling efforts.
“Things appear to be improving on that front because they are acquiring additional firepower in terms of their equipment and retooling, and all that is going quite well,” he noted.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu further argued that the current arrangement may even be advantageous since the Finance Minister is simultaneously overseeing the Defence Ministry in an acting capacity.
“Perhaps it helps that the man who has to bankroll it is also the one who is in the acting capacity at the Defence Ministry. So everything is on track,” he said.
“If there is any lapse, that’s not because there is not a standalone Defence Minister at any time,” he added.
When questioned about why no nomination had been made despite the unusual situation following the passing of Edward Omane Boamah, Mr Kwakye Ofosu maintained that ministerial appointments remain solely the President’s constitutional prerogative.
“As I’ve indicated, it is the President’s prerogative to appoint ministers, and once he deems it necessary to do so at any moment, he will communicate it to me, and I will communicate it to you,” he said.
He reiterated that the Defence Ministry remains stable and under experienced leadership despite the absence of a substantive minister.
“I want to stress that the Defence Ministry continues to be in safe hands and it continues to be in experienced hands, and it is running smoothly,” he stressed.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu added that recent investments in military equipment and operational readiness demonstrate that the ministry remains capable of protecting Ghana’s territorial integrity.
“Their fortunes have even begun to improve over the last few months, because they are acquiring equipment that is necessary to keep them up to speed in terms of operational readiness and the ability to defend our territorial integrity,” he said.
“So all is well on that front, and as of when the President deems it necessary to do so, he would do so.”
