Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has defended President John Mahama’s decision not to appoint a substantive Defence Minister months after indicating one would be named, insisting that Ghana’s defence sector remains stable and operational.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, May 18, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said there have been no setbacks within the Defence Ministry despite the unprecedented vacancy.
“Any day that the President communicates to me that he has appointed a Defence Minister, I will make it known to you,” he said.
He stressed that government business has continued smoothly and Ghana’s security architecture has not suffered any lapses.
“The government has functioned effectively. There have not been any lapses, as far as I know, in terms of Ghana’s defence architecture,” he stated.
According to him, the country’s military operations are even improving due to ongoing investments in equipment and retooling.
“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.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu also suggested that the acting arrangement may be helping operations since the official overseeing the ministry is directly connected to the government’s financing decisions.
“Perhaps it helps that the man who has to bankroll it is also the one who is in acting capacity at the Defence Ministry. So, everything is on track,” he added.
When pressed on why Ghana still does not have a substantive Defence Minister, he maintained that the appointment remains solely the President’s decision.
“It is the President’s prerogative to appoint ministers. Once he deems it necessary to do so at any moment, he will communicate it,” he explained.
He concluded by assuring Ghanaians that the ministry remains under experienced leadership and is operating effectively.
“I want to stress that the Defence Ministry continues to be in safe hands, it continues to be in experienced hands, and it is running smoothly,” he said.
