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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 modeled 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 advice 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]

The current CDS is Vice Admiral Matthew Quashie. He was appointed by President Mahama on 28 March 2013.[8]

Chiefs of the Defence Staff, 1954 to present

The former heads of the Ghana Armed Forces were referred to while in office as either General Officers Commanding or Chiefs of the Defence Staff.[9]

No. Portrait Rank Name Appointment Left office Unit Decorations
1 Major General A. G. V. Paley 1954 11 January 1960 Ghana Army
2 Major General Henry Templer Alexander[10] 1960 September 1961 Ghana Army CB, CBE, DSO
3 Major General Stephen J. A. Otu
(first Ghanaian to be appointed CDS)		 September 1961 1965 Ghana Army
4 Major General N. A. Aferi 1965 1966 Ghana Army
5 Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka 1966 1967 Ghana Army
6 Lieutenant General J. A. Ankrah 1967 1968 Ghana Army
7 Air Marshal Michael Akuoko Otu March 1968 November 1968 Ghana Air Force OSG
8 Lieutenant General Albert Kwesi Ocran November 1968 November 1969 Ghana Army
9 Air Marshal Michael Akuoko Otu November 1968 June 1971 Ghana Air Force OSG
10 Major General Daniel K. Addo June 1971 January 1972 Ghana Army
11 Major General Napoleon Yaovi R. Ashley-Lassen January 1972 December 1974 Ghana Army
12 Major General Lawrence A. Okai December 1974 November 1976 Ghana Army
13 Lieutenant General Fred Akuffo November 1976 July 1978 Ghana Army
14 Major General Robert Kotei 4 July 1978 23 July 1978 Ghana Army
15 Lieutenant General Joshua Hamidu July 1978 June 1979 Ghana Army
16 Colonel E. D. F. Prah June 1979 July 1979 Ghana Army
17 Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah July 1979 November 1979 Ghana Army
18 Major General Edwin Kwamina Sam November 1979 December 1979 Ghana Army
19 Air Vice-Marshal J. E. Odaate – Barnor 7 December 1979 31 December 1981 Ghana Air Force
20 Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah January 1982 November 1982 Ghana Army
21 Flight Lieutenant J. J. Rawlings November 1982 August 1983 Ghana Air Force
22 Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo August 1983 September 1989 Ghana Army
23 Lieutenant General W. M. Mensa-Wood June 1990 March 1992 Ghana Army
24 Air Marshal Achilles Harry Kwami Dumashie[11] March 1992 October 1996 Ghana Air Force
25 Lieutenant General Ben K. Akafia October 1996 February 2001[12] Ghana Army
26 Lieutenant General Seth Kofi Obeng February 2001 February 2005 Ghana Army
27 Lieutenant General Joseph Boateng Danquah 20 May 2005 28 January 2009 Ghana Army
Rear Admiral A. R. S. Nunoo
(acting CDS)		 28 January 2009 31 March 2009 Ghana Navy
28 Lieutenant General Peter A. Blay[13] 31 March 2009 28 March 2013 Ghana Army
29 Vice Admiral Matthew Quashie[8] 28 March 2013 December 2015 Ghana Navy
30 Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje December 2015 Incumbent Ghana Air Force

See also

References

  1. ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 213
  2. ^ "The Historical Context" (PDF). National Reconciliation Commission Report Volume 1 Chapter 3. Ghana government. October 2004. pp. 30–31. Archived from the original (pdf) on October 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "The Security Services" (PDF). National Reconciliation Commission Report Volume 4 Chapter 1. Ghana government. October 2004. pp. 30–31. Archived from the original (pdf) on October 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Kraus, Jon (April 1966). "Ghana Without Nkrumah - The Men In Charge". Africa Report. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  5. ^ 1992 Ghana Constitution - Article 211.
  6. ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 214
  7. ^ 1992 Ghana constitution - Article 212 (1)(a)
  8. ^ a b "Profile of Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie, Chief of Defence Staff". www.highstreetmail.com. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Past General Officers Commanding /chiefs of the Defence Staff". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  10. ^ "No. 41949". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 5 February 1960.
  11. ^ "Farewell Service Held For Ex-Chief Of Defence Staff". General News of Friday, 31 January 2003. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  12. ^ "New Military Chiefs Take Over Command". General News of Monday, 26 March 2001. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  13. ^ "Shake-up in Ghana Armed Forces". Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
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