The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, appeared before Parliament on Wednesday, supported by his Deputy, Brogya Genfi, to clarify what he described as a “wrong question” filed by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, regarding the status of some senior officers in the Ghana Armed Forces.

Addressing the House, Dr. Boamah firmly stated that the MP’s question alluding to the termination of “all fifteen (15) Major Generals (2-Star) and equivalent ranks” was inaccurate and could potentially mislead the public if left uncorrected.

“Mr. Speaker, let me be abundantly clear.

The Honourable Member of Parliament for Assin South got his question wrong,” he said.

“Respectfully, if the wrong question is not corrected, it can mislead the public, especially since the cameras are here.”

Dr. Boamah outlined the accurate status of the affected officers:

Eight (8) Major Generals had reached the point to commence terminal leave ahead of their compulsory retirement.

Four (4) additional Major Generals, aged between 60 and 62, are scheduled for release in line with Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) regulations, which permit such action before the mandatory retirement age of 63.

Major General Irvin Nii-Ayittey Aryeetey, one of the eight, is being sponsored at the rank of Lieutenant General for a high-level position at the United Nations — Military Adviser at the Department of Peace Operations in New York.

“In total, twelve (12) Major Generals are involved,” Dr. Boamah clarified.

“Eight are proceeding on terminal leave, and four will be released before compulsory retirement.

Major General Aryeetey’s case is exceptional due to his UN nomination.”

Dr. Boamah also accounted for the remaining three Major Generals not proceeding on terminal leave:

Maj. Gen. Robert Affram – Currently serving as Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Maj. Gen. Anita Asmah – Serving as Force Commander, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

AVM Felix Asante – Recently appointed as Acting President of the National Defence University (NDU) in Ghana.

In defence of the current government’s actions, Dr. Boamah referenced historical precedent across multiple administrations, emphasising that such decisions were not unprecedented and had occurred under both NDC and NPP governments.

He noted that:

In 2001, after a change of government, six Major Generals and four Lieutenant Generals were released, some below the statutory retirement age.

In 2005, seven Major Generals—none near retirement age—were all released, with a Brigadier General appointed as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

In 2009, following another transition, six Major Generals were also released under similar circumstances.

“These precedents have ensured the sustainability of the Fourth Republic,” he said.

“In our case, unlike previous instances, some Major Generals continue to serve in key roles both at home and abroad.”

Dr. Boamah assured Parliament that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration remains committed to achieving service efficiency within the Ghana Armed Forces while strictly adhering to established norms and regulations.

“The decisions taken are in line with the principles of transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of operational excellence,” he concluded.