Chief of the Defence Staff (Ghana)
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The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the professional head of the Ghana Armed Forces. He is thus responsible for the administration and the operational control and command of the Ghana military.[1] The Ghana army was formed after World War II out of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force. The officer corps then was entirely European. It was modelled on the British army. At independence in 1957, the highest ranking Ghanaian officer was a Major.[2] Major General A. G. V. Paley served as the General Officer Commanding the Ghana Regiment of Infantry which had succeeded the Gold Coast Regiment between 1957 and 1959. This position was effectively equivalent to Army commander as there was no Air Force or Navy.
The position of Chief of Defence Staff was first created in 1959 after the formation of the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air Force. Major General Henry Templer Alexander was appointed as the first CDS though he effectively doubled as the Ghana army commander as well. Since 1961, the position of army commander and CDS have been separate.[3] The first native Ghanaian CDS was Major General S. J. A. Otu.[4] The CDS is a member of the Armed Forces Council.[5] This council advices the President of Ghana on matters of policy relating to defence and also regulates the administration of the Armed Forces. It also advises the President on the promotion of all officers above the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel or its equivalent.[6] The CDS has also been known as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).
The CDS is appointed by the President, in consultation with the Council of State of Ghana.[7]
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[edit] Current Chief of Defence Staff
The current CDS is Major General Joseph Boateng Danquah. He was appointed by President Kufuor in 2005. He has served with ECOMOG in Liberia and UNIFIL in Lebanon.
[edit] Chiefs of the Defence Staff
- Major General Henry Templer Alexander (1960 – September 1961)
- Major General Stephen J. A. Otu (September 1961 – ?) - first Ghanaian to be appointed CDS
- Air Commodore J. E. S. de Graft-Hayford Chief of the Air Staff[citation needed]
- Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (1966 – 1967)
- Air Marshal Michael Akuoko Otu (1968 – 1971)
- Major General Napoleon Yaovi R. Ashley-Larsen
- Major General Lawrence A. Okai (? – April 1976)
- Lieutenant General Fred Akuffo (April 1976 – July 5, 1978)
- Major General Robert Kotei (July 5, 1978 – ?)
- Lieutenant General Joshua Hamidu (1979 – ?)
- Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (? – 27 November 1979)
- Air Vice-Marshal Odaatey Barnor–(1979 – 31 December 1981)
- Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo (January 1982 – ?)
- Air Marshal Achilles Harry Kwami Dumashie (1988 – 1992)[8]
- Major General Edwin Kwamina Sam (? – ?)
- Lieutenant General Ben K. Akafia (? – March 2001[9])
- Lieutenant General Seth Kofi Obeng (March 2001 – May 2005)
- Major General Joseph Boateng Danquah (20 May 2005 – present )
[edit] References
- ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 213
- ^ The Historical Context (pdf). National Reconciliation Commission Report Volume 1 Chapter 3 pp 30-31. Ghana government (October 2004). Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
- ^ The Security Services (pdf). National Reconciliation Commission Report Volume 4 Chapter 1 pp 30-31. Ghana government (October 2004). Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
- ^ Kraus, Jon (April 1966). Ghana Without Nkrumah - The Men In Charge. National Reconciliation Commission Report Volume 4 Chapter 1 pp 30-31. Ghana government. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.
- ^ 1992 Ghana Constitution - Article 211.
- ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 214
- ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 212 (1)(a)
- ^ Farewell Service Held For Ex-Chief Of Defence Staff. General News of Friday, 31 January 2003. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
- ^ "New Military Chiefs Take Over Command", General News of Monday, 26 March 2001, Ghana Home Page. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
