Defence Ministry Vacancy Sparks Security Concerns
The absence of a substantive Defence Minister for over seven months has been labelled a “major defence leadership failure” by Ranking Member John Ntim Fordjour, in the wake of the Burkina Faso terrorist attack that killed seven Ghanaians. According to #3NewsGH, Fordjour emphasized that the vacancy has left Ghana exposed during a period of mounting security threats.
The attack, which occurred on February 14, targeted a group of Ghanaian tomato traders travelling in a truck to purchase produce in Burkina Faso. Suspected jihadists stormed the town, separated the men from the women, and opened fire, killing seven men and injuring three others. President John Mahama has convened an urgent high-level meeting with security chiefs and foreign affairs officials to address the incident.
Fordjour questioned the President’s reluctance to fill the vital post, raising concerns about leadership within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its ability to respond to the country’s defence needs. “No serious country will run three months without a substantive Defence Minister,” Fordjour asserted, demanding immediate action to reinforce the Ghana Armed Forces and protect the nation’s borders.
The Defence Ministry oversees not only the military but also key national security operations and international defence partnerships. Security analysts have noted that the protracted vacancy comes amid a regional surge in cross-border crime, armed incursions, and the threat of extremist violence spilling into Ghana from the Sahel.
According to Ghana Soccernet, the government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Ghanaian nationals abroad while working with regional partners under ECOWAS frameworks to address the root causes of violent extremism.
Source:#3NewsGH
Author: Korkor Anumu
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