Kofi Ampeah Woode
A formal Induction and Religious Service has been held by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), to officially usher into office its Military High Command (MHC), composed of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, and the Chief of Staff, General Headquarters (GHQ), GAF.
The Induction and Religious Service was held at the Church of Pentecost (COP), Burma Camp, Accra, on Sunday 11 May 2025, with Ghana’s Minister for Defence – Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah as the Guest of Honour, and officiated by a team of clerics led by the Director General, Religious Affairs (DGRA) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode.
Delivering the keynote address after the rites, Minister Omane Boamah said of the members of the MHC: “Listening to their stories and coming from across the length and breadth of the country, I felt very proud of what we can achieve if we work together as one people bound by a common destiny”.
He also expressed confidence in the competence, patriotism, and integrity of the leadership that is taking the helm of affairs of Ghana’s military, and added that although the elevation of the military chiefs is a personal milestone, it also is a call to greater national duty.
He added that their official commencement of command responsibilities being both noble and demanding, comes at a time when the West African sub-region and the global security landscape, face a myriad of challenges from violent extremism and cyber threats, to transnational organized crime and disasters.
He however proffered that with the world becoming more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, unity within their ranks will be required to make them fortified, with the backing of the Ministry of Defence, and the Commander-in-Chief of GAF – His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
Encouraging GAF to maintain teamwork, discipline, and adherence to the highest standards of professionalism, Dr EK Omane Boamah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the armed forces with the tools, infrastructure, and policy direction necessary to fulfill their constitutional mandate.
Lieutenant General William Agyapong is the Chief of the Defence Staff; Major General Lawrence Kweku Gbetanu is the Chief of the Army Staff; Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing is the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong is the Chief of the Air Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai is the Chief of Staff, GHQ.
Present at the service included; the Chairman, COP – Apostle Eric Nyamekye; Minister of Interior, and Member of Parliament for Asawase – Mr Muntaka Mohammed; Deputy Minister for Defence – Mr Ernest Brogya-Genfi; the Inspector General of Police – Mr Christian Yohuno; Head of Narcotics Control Commission – Brig Gen Maxwell Mantey; traditional leaders, Senior Officers, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major, Soldiers, and Church members.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
