Dr Ishmael Norman, a Security analyst, has told President John Mahama to appoint Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, as Ghana’s Defence Minister.
According to him, Ghana needs a shift in defence leadership, urging the President to appoint a woman, arguing that it is time for the tradition of men occupying the defence ministry to change.
Dr Ishmael Norman exclusively mentioned Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings as a strong candidate for the role, pointing to her work on Parliament’s Defence and Interior subcommittee.
He also recounted her involvement with the Intelligence subcommittee and her participation in programmes at the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College as evidence of her preparedness.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Dr Norman stated, “It will be for reputational benefit, and this thing will be so high up before all women, all girls, that it will be amazing the benefits of that appointment. We are tired of men; appoint a woman, President. Please, please, appoint a woman”.
“She has quite a lot of qualifications. She has proven her worth as a medical doctor, parliamentarian, and disciplined professional. There is not an iota of any bad thing said about her. She has been groomed for that role, and it is high time she is elevated to that position.”
Also, rumours last year alleged that Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was emerging as a top contender for the Defence Minister position.
According to reports, Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings is emerging as a strong favourite for the next Defence Minister, with many within the ruling National Democratic Congress and civil society pushing her nomination.
It has been alleged that her supporters argue that she brings integrity, discipline and a fresh strategic outlook, while insiders say discussions are intensifying ahead of an expected ministerial reshuffle.
However, President John Dramani Mahama in December 2025 told Ghanaians speculating about his appointing a Defence, Environment Minister to go and enjoy the Christmas holiday.
According to John Mahama, he will appoint a Defence and Environment Minister next year after the Christmas holiday.
President Mahama, speaking during a meeting at the Jubilee House, stated, “They say Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades, and we haven’t filled those positions yet. I can see people speculating that he is going to appoint a new Defence minister, a new Environment minister.
We are not in a hurry. We will do those appointments next year. After the holiday, the Christmas holiday, we will fill those positions,” he said.
“So those speculating about somebody going to be appointed tomorrow and all that, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas and after Christmas we will fill those ones,” he added.
In related news, John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of the Defence committee in parliament, has labelled the absence of a substantive Defence Minister for over seven months as a major defence leadership failure.
According to John Ntim Fordjour, it is a major defence leadership for Ghana not to have a substantive Defence Minister for over seven months.
He also criticizes government for having the Interior Minister lead the response to the Burkina Faso attack.
Ntim Fordjour argued that the Interior Minister is not responsible for what happens outside the country.
Rev Ntim Fordjour is quoted by TV3 News flyer to have said, “This is a major defence leadership failure. For seven months, we haven’t had a substantive Minister for Defence”.
In another flyer, he stated, “It was wrong at the beginning for the Interior Minister to lead this conversation. He’s not responsible for what happens outside the country”.
The MP stressed that the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister should be the ones to lead the response to the Burkina Faso attack.
Ntim Fordjours comments come in the wake of the Burkina Faso terrorist attack that killed seven Ghanaians.