Fordjour: Ghana cannot afford three months without a Defence Minister

New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker has criticised President John Mahama for failing to appoint a substantive Defence Minister nearly three months after the death of Dr. Omane Boamah in a helicopter crash, describing the delay as “a dangerous gamble” amid worsening security concerns. John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South and a member of the Minority Caucus, said in a post on X that the absence of a Defence Minister was “a reckless potential compromise of our territorial integrity,” citing recent insecurity in Gbenyiri, Sampa, Bawku and illegal mining zones. “No serious country will run three months without a substantive Defence Minister,” Fordjour wrote. “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.” The lawmaker referenced reports of over 23,000 Ghanaians fleeing to neighbouring countries due to security challenges, warning that the government’s inaction could undermine national stability. Dr. Omane Boamah, who served as Minister for Defence, died in a helicopter crash in July, leaving the portfolio vacant. The presidency has not commented on the reasons for the delay in appointing a replacement. Ghana’s northern border regions have seen sporadic clashes and growing fears of extremist infiltration from the Sahel, prompting calls for stronger military coordination and border surveillance. Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra). Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale). Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn. X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073 Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3 LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5 Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3. YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra. Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652. #AsaaseRadio #TheVoiceofOurLand