President John Dramani Mahama today, Friday, April 25, 2025, officially swore in the newly appointed service commanders as members of the Armed Forces Council in a brief but solemn ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence in Accra. The event marked a key milestone in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the leadership and operational efficiency of its military forces.
The new appointees include Major General William Agyapong as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong as Chief of Air Staff. These top military officers now join the Armed Forces Council, which advises the President on key issues relating to the governance, welfare, and administration of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several high-ranking government officials, including the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister for Interior, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka; and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who chairs the Council, was also present.
President Mahama, in his remarks, charged the new commanders to uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and professionalism in their leadership roles. He emphasized that their appointments come at a crucial time when Ghana is intensifying its efforts to modernize the Armed Forces and enhance national security in the face of evolving regional threats.
“As commanders, you are expected to provide not just operational leadership but moral clarity and inspiration to the men and women under your command,” President Mahama said. He further noted that the Armed Forces Council will soon deliberate on matters including promotions, logistics, and the retooling of the military to meet current and future security challenges.
The appointments and subsequent swearing-in come after a recent reshuffle of the top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces, which some opposition members have described as politically motivated. However, the presidency has maintained that the changes are part of a constitutional and strategic process aimed at ensuring efficiency and accountability within the military.
With today’s ceremony, the newly constituted Armed Forces Council is set to begin its work in earnest, with expectations high that the new leadership will bring renewed focus and direction to Ghana’s defence architecture.
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