New CDS will build on military’s reputation – Antwi-Danso

The Director of Academic Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has said the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, appointed by President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, will further elevate the image of Ghana’s military.

Major General Akwa was confirmed as the new CDS on Thursday, February 9. He will be serving as the acting CDS until the Council of State is constituted to affirm his position.

He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on July 1, 2016, by former president John Mahama. He replaces Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, who is retiring from the Armed Forces.

Speaking in an interview with Emefa Apawu, on Class91.3FM’s 505 on Thursday, February 9, Dr Antwi-Danso said: “OB Akwa fits the post more than any other person in the military today.

“The military needs a lot of things. I have worked with them and I know that some of the pending issues will be how to restructure the military in such a way that what they really need is met. I think they are under-resourced, something they may not say, but the military is under-resourced. The structures are all there, we have the finest military in Africa but I think they are under-resourced.

“Secondly, I strongly suspect that what OB Akwa will be facing will be the kind of military doctrine we should have for today and from which we can have our national security structure or system in place.

“Recruitment and the kind of training that we have needs to be revived and he is the man who knows all these. He knows how to restructure things, he knows how to build and I think he is coming to rebuild the Ghana Armed Forces to a reputable stage.”