Ghana Peace
Ghana’s Minister for Defence – Dr (Medicine) Edward Kofi Omane Boamah has completed his next phase of familiarization tour of selected Units of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and communicated a few policy directions of his tenure.
The tour on Wednesday 23 July 2025, had him visit four of five constituent colleges of Ghana’s National Defence University (NDU) – Ghana Military Academy (GMA), Training and Doctrines Command (TRADOC), Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), and Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC).
Dr Omane Boamah’s common message for the NDU colleges was that his Ministry was rolling out evidence-based policy in handling defence issues, and relying on the Central Government funds, the BIG PUSH, and proceeds from the Defence Industries Holdings Companies (DIHOC), to resolve pressing issues of Ghana’s military.
At the GMA where he was briefed by the Commandant – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Cornelius Komla Lithur, and the Chief Coordinator – Colonel (Col) Noble Carl Doe Dei-Alorse, he also met with 198 Cadets of GMA Regular Career Course (RCC) 64.
Of RCC 64, 211 assembled for training, however, two passed away, with the rest being withdrawn for medical reasons.
The Minister, who is also a Medical Doctor used the opportunity to urge prospective candidates of GAF’s upcoming enlistment and recruitment, not to be tempted to falsify their records to meet requirements, since that could endanger their health and lives.
He also declared his government’s commitment to the Second Phase of the redevelopment of GMA, to a world class military academy.
At TRADOC, he was briefed by the Commandant – Commodore (Cdre) Maxwell Arhen and the Commanding Officer (CO) – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Kingsley Birikorang, on the purposes, constitution and functions of the Command.
The Minister called for standardization of vehicles and equipment of GAF, to enable ease in maintenance and the purchase of spare parts, ensuring cost effectiveness and frugality, in the medium to long term.
At the KAIPTC, the Minister held discussions with the Executive Committee members on issues of Violent Extremism and Terrorism (VET), the Bawku and other chieftaincy conflicts, and issues of national, sub-regional, regional, and global peace.
He then made revelations of a second theft of GAF ammunitions, which he says precedes another instance in 2024, where GAF ammunitions were transferred to Ghana’s National Security “without due consultation and authorization”, and vowed that the Military High Command is turning all stones, to uncover any illegality committed.
He said his disclosure to the public of the various ammunition thefts in GAF, is to sanitize the system, and that non-disclosure in the past of such cases has delivered dire consequences, bearing inter-linkages with present day conflicts in Bawku and other raging chieftaincy conflicts in Ghana.
The Acting Commandant, KAIPTC – Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, in his initial brief, presented KAIPTC as having a challenge of donor fatigue, in terms of sustainable funding, and thus the leadership was devising means of acquiring sustainable funds for the Centre.
At GAFCSC, the Acting Commandant – Brig Gen Jackson Wonje and team briefed the Minister and his team on new developments and challenges of the military college, with the Minister providing immediate solutions to some urgent academic needs.
In the Minister’s entourage were the Deputy Minister, Defence – Mr Ernest Brogya-Genfi; Chief Director, Ministry of Defence (MoD) – Mr Emmanuel Kartey; General Principal Staff Officer – Brig Gen Ben Gah; Military Assistant to the Minister – Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi; Public Relations Officer, MoD – Col Ernestina Assan; and Col Appah Yaw Owusu.
Peace Journal
