Security analyst Samuel Owusu Appiah has raised concerns about the absence of a substantive Defence Minister in Ghana, warning that the gap affects critical national decision-making.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Appiah emphasized the importance of structured intelligence leadership.
According to him, “To get a defence minister to handle international intelligence, intelligence, and all the other diplomatic intelligence that come alongside Ghana’s defence structure,”* is essential for effective governance.
He highlighted how leadership gaps in the Defence Ministry impact national planning and resource allocation.
“So that we are able to consolidate and know that we make decisions locally and foreign, it impacts whatever resource that we need to have as a nation.”
Describing the situation as urgent, Appiah stated, “In my respective opinion, it is long overdue that we have in fact a substantive defence minister,” and urged immediate executive action: “I believe Excellency the President should consider it as a matter of necessity as of now.”
According to the analyst, the issue goes beyond administrative delay, pointing to the need for clear, coordinated leadership to strengthen Ghana’s defence and intelligence systems in a complex security environment.
His remarks follow similar concerns raised by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who described the government’s failure to appoint a substantive Defence Minister after Dr. Boamah’s death as “dangerous and reckless.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Bilkiss Abdul Majiid
