Former Minister for Defence and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency, appoint a substantive Minister for Defence to provide leadership in addressing emerging security challenges across the country.
President Mahama named the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as Acting Defence Minister following the tragic death of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
The Defence Ministry has since remained without a substantive head.
Addressing journalists in Parliament, Mr. Nitiwul expressed concern over the prolonged delay, warning that it could affect the effective functioning of the ministry.
“The deputy cannot act as the Defence minister. It is the reason the president asked the finance minister to act as the interim Defence minister. We all know that the finance minister doesn’t have time. I think that it is time for the president to look for and nominate somebody to take over,” he said.
The former Defence Minister emphasised that the growing insecurity within the West African sub-region requires strong and focused leadership at Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
“In the West Africa region, terrorism is becoming endemic. We are enjoying peace, but we are always threatened by insecurities around us, and I think we need somebody who will offer leadership,” Nitiwul stressed.
He further urged President Mahama to act swiftly, whether by elevating the current deputy minister or nominating a new appointee, to ensure stability and continuity in the country’s defence administration.
“That long delay is not helpful,” he cautioned.
Source: Adomonline