Dominic Nitiwul, a former Minister for Defence and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, has warned President John Mahama to urgently appoint a substantive Minister for Defence.
According to him, the delay in making a substantive appointment can affect the effective functioning of the ministry.
He cautioned that the growing insecurity within the West African sub-region demands leadership at Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
It will be recalled that Dr Omane Boamah and seven others lost their lives in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
In the aftermath, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was appointed to act as caretaker for the Defence Ministry.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Friday, October 24, Nitiwul expressed, “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”.
“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.
“That long delay is not helpful,” he cautioned.
Also, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, has said no serious country will run for 3 months without appointing a fully functional substantive Defence minister to oversee the formulation and implementation of defence policies.
In a post on his X page, the MP underscored the urgent need for a substantive minister to be appointed to fill the vacant position since the tragic passing of Dr Omane Boamah.
“Nearly 3 months without a substantive Defence Minister is a dangerous gamble and reckless potential compromise of our territorial integrity. What a dangerous inaction! At a time when the security of our country is on the path of rapid deterioration – Gbenyiri, Sampa, Bawku, Galamsey etc, with over 23,000 citizens having fled to neighbouring countries as refugees” he posted
He added, “No serious country will run 3 months without a substantive Defence Minister. Is there no suitable person in NDC who can be trusted by President Mahama to fill the worthy shoes of my departed honourable friend, Dr Omane Boamah? What difficulty might the President be facing for which he has been hesitant in appointing a suitable replacement for the late Minister? We demand the immediate appointment of a substantive Minister for Defence to lead the spirited collective action to retool the Ghana Armed Forces and sustain the territorial integrity of our beloved country”.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, says President John Dramani Mahama is in no hurry to appoint a new Minister of Defence.
“President Mahama is not under any pressure to appoint a substantive minister at this point. What he is demonstrating is true leadership. There is already a capable Deputy Minister, my colleague Brogya Genfi, who supports the caretaker minister effectively,” Mr Kotoko said on Channel One TV on Monday, October 13.
He explained that the President’s cautious approach in naming a replacement reflects “measured and responsible leadership.”