Security analyst Dr. Victor Doke has called on the government to appoint a substantive Defense Minister, stressing that the Defense Ministry remains a critical pillar in Ghana’s national security architecture.
Speaking on the importance of leadership in the ministry via a Zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest in Accra, Dr. Doke noted that although Ghana is not currently facing any major security threat, it would be dangerous for the country to become complacent.
According to him, the Defense Ministry plays a crucial role in both internal and external security matters and must be adequately positioned to respond to any future emergencies.
“We have not experienced any threat yet to warrant fear for the country, but it is also very critical to conduct threat analysis to ascertain our emergency preparedness level,” he stated.
Dr. Doke argued that some may cite countries that operate safely without robust defense structures. Still, Ghana must focus on preparing for contingencies rather than waiting for a crisis to emerge.
“It is better to prepare and guide ourselves for any eventualities,” he emphasized.
He further questioned why the government has delayed appointing a substantive minister when confidence in the current deputy is lacking.
“If the President doesn’t trust the deputy to take over, why not appoint another person to fill the gap?” he asked.
The security analyst also cautioned against prolonged vacancies in key state institutions, warning that uncertainty at the top can affect efficiency and direction.
“In every institution, if you want to do recruitment, it goes into the coffers,” he said while urging authorities to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision.
Dr. Doke insisted that appointing a substantive Defense Minister would strengthen confidence in the country’s security governance and ensure continuity in leadership.
He added that if authorities believe an appointment is not immediately necessary, they should at least communicate a clear timeline to citizens on when the position will be filled.
