The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called for the immediate appointment of a full-time Minister for Defence. He emphasized the need for strong and dedicated leadership within the Ministry, especially following the tragic incident at the El-Wak Stadium recruitment.
While acknowledging the capabilities of the Acting Minister for Defence and Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Bagbin pointed out that the significant responsibilities associated with the Finance Ministry make it essential to have a dedicated minister to oversee the Defence Ministry.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday in response to the El-Wak tragedy, Bagbin stressed that the House needs a designated individual to provide a comprehensive report on the incident and address all related concerns. The Acting Defence Minister had already briefed the House about the incident, and several members made statements while also contributing their thoughts.
Mr. Bagbin directed the Committee on Defence and Interior to closely monitor the actions taken in response to the tragedy and to compile a comprehensive report for the House.
“Even though measures have been taken, I will direct our committee to follow up on the process. Leaders should schedule a date for us to get the committee and the minister to give us a full brief on it,” he stated.
The Speaker explained that Parliament will collaborate with the Defence Ministry and civil society organisations to ensure that lessons are learned and implemented to prevent future tragedies.
“This issue is already being debated by civil society, and there are a lot of proposals. Together, we can work to find lasting solutions,” he added.
The Speaker also called for a review of Ghana’s military recruitment system, urging the Defence Ministry to adopt a continuous enlistment process rather than conducting large-scale exercises that often lead to overcrowding and safety concerns.
He cautioned that without reforms, Ghana could face even more distressing outcomes in future recruitment drives.
Speaker Alban Bagbin praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their discipline, dedication, and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation, urging Ghanaians to show respect to the institution and its personnel.
He called on all stakeholders to handle the aftermath of the El-Wak tragedy with ‘cool heads’ and compassion while working together to improve public sector recruitment standards.
Background
The tragic incident at the El-Wak Stadium occurred during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries due to overcrowding and poor crowd control. The government has since suspended the exercise in Accra pending investigations.