By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah GNA
Nungua, March 18, GNA – Dr Worlanyo Mensah, an Economist has called on the government of Ghana to appoint a substantive Minister for Defence without delay, citing growing security threats within West Africa and escalating global tensions as key concerns.
Dr Mensah warned that Ghana’s continued reliance on an acting Defence Minister could undermine the country’s preparedness in an increasingly volatile environment, particularly at a time when insecurity in neighbouring countries continues to intensify.
According to him, the convergence of instability across parts of West Africa and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East should serve as a wakeup call for Ghana to strengthen its national security system, emphasising that although Ghana remained relatively peaceful, the country could not afford complacency.
Dr Mensah told the Ghana News Agency that the acting defence minister was concurrently serving as finance minister, a role that already demanded significant attention and expertise, saying that combining both responsibilities could limit the level of focus required to effectively manage national defence.
He stressed that Ghana had a pool of qualified individuals, including members of Parliament and security experts with strong backgrounds in defence, diplomacy and intelligence who possessed the technical knowledge necessary to manage the country’s defence portfolio effectively.
The economist highlighted the unpredictable nature of modern security threats, stating that governments must be proactive, as national security was no longer limited to traditional military concerns but now included intelligence gathering, regional cooperation and strategic planning.
He pointed to recent developments such as ongoing insecurity in Burkina Faso leading to the death of some Ghanaian traders, tensions in northern Togo, and instability in Niger as clear indicators of a deteriorating regional security environment, adding that these developments had the potential to spill over into neighbouring countries if not carefully managed.
Dr Mensah also referenced global issues, including the conflict involving Israel and Iran, as examples of how distant geopolitical tensions could have indirect consequences on countries like Ghana, saying that such conflicts could affect global economic stability, migration patterns, and international security cooperation.
He said that a substantive Defence Minister played a critical role in advising the President on global intelligence trends and emerging threats, while an acting minister might not have the capacity or dedicated focus required to provide comprehensive and timely briefings on complex security issues.
He noted that recent incidents such as aircraft crashes and rising reports of violent activities in parts of the subregion further reinforce the need for a fully dedicated defence leadership, stressing the need for Ghana to act decisively to safeguard its stability.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei