Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has dismissed concerns that there is a leadership vacuum at the Defence Ministry following calls by the Minority for the appointment of a substantive minister.
His comments come amid recent security incidents, including the terrorist attack on Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso that claimed eight lives, and the recent attack on Ghana’s peacekeeping base under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.
The Minority in Parliament has in recent weeks urged John Dramani Mahama to appoint a substantive Defence Minister following the death of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
Speaking in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom, Brogya Genfi maintained that the decision to appoint a substantive minister rests solely with the President.
He insisted that the ministry continues to function effectively under the current arrangement.
“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. So there is no vacuum at the Ministry.,” he said.
Brogya Genfi also suggested that the opposition’s concerns stem from surprise at the President’s ability to govern with a smaller number of ministers.
“I understand our brothers in opposition. They are amazed as to how the president is able to perform with 58 ministers,” he added.
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