Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has sharply criticised President John Dramani Mahama for postponing the appointment of a substantive Defence Minister until 2026, describing the decision as “reckless, dangerous, and a direct threat to national security.”
His comments follow President Mahama’s announcement that he is not in a hurry to appoint replacements for the late Defence and Environment Ministers, indicating that the positions will be filled after the Christmas holidays next year.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Tuesday, November 25, the Assin South MP expressed concern that the delay comes at a time when Ghana is grappling with intensified security pressures.
According to him, the country is currently confronting a combination of escalating threats, including terrorism risks, violent extremism, and a rapidly expanding galamsey network equipped with sophisticated weapons.
He further pointed to the Gbenyiri conflict, which has displaced over 48,000 people, forcing 23,000 into refugee camps, 10,000 in Burkina Faso and 13,000 in Côte d’Ivoire. underscoring the urgent need for strong leadership at the Defence Ministry.
“In the midst of the sub-regional geopolitics and the threats we face, and in the heightened insecurity we are dealing with, I don’t know what else the President is waiting for before prioritising our security,” he stressed.
Ntim Fordjour argued that Ghana’s commitments under the Accra Initiative, including implementing a coordinated regional military strategy to counter violent extremism, are being undermined by the absence of a dedicated Defence Minister.
He warned that continuing without a substantive minister could weaken Ghana’s defence posture and disrupt the country’s broader national security strategy.
“We are talking about a key actor in our national security architecture and in our regional response to security threats. To combine Defence and Finance under one acting minister is deeply misconceived,” he said.
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