Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi has dismissed claims that there is a leadership vacuum at the Ministry of Defence Ghana following calls from the Minority in Parliament for the appointment of a substantive minister.

His comments come amid heightened security concerns, including the killing of eight Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso and the recent attack on a Ghanaian peacekeeping base under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.

Minority’s concerns

The Minority has recently urged John Dramani Mahama to appoint a substantive Defence Minister following the death of Edward Omane Boamah.

However, speaking in an interview on Channel One Newsroom, Brogya Genfi insisted that the ministry continues to operate effectively under the current structure.

According to him, there is no leadership gap because Cassiel Ato Forson currently holds ministerial responsibility for the Defence Ministry, while he serves as Deputy Minister to assist in executing the ministry’s functions as mandated by the Constitution.

“There is no vacuum. There is a Minister responsible for the Defence Ministry and that Minister is Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson. As Deputy Minister, I am to assist the Minister in the performance of his functions as the constitution has mandated,” he said.

Government functioning with fewer ministers

Brogya Genfi also suggested that the opposition’s concerns may stem from surprise at the administration’s ability to operate with a reduced number of ministers.

He noted that the government has been able to carry out its duties effectively with 58 ministers, despite criticism from the opposition.