Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for the swift appointment of a substantive Defence Minister following the tragic stampede that occurred during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Bagbin said the Defence and Interior Committee would be tasked to pursue the matter and ensure a prompt resolution. “I will direct our committee to follow up on the process and emphasize what others have said, to expedite the appointment of a substantive minister,” he stated.
He clarified that his appeal was not a reflection of incompetence on the part of the acting Defence Minister but rather a call to ease the burden on him and strengthen leadership within the ministry. “It’s not because the current acting minister is not capable, but we know the pressures on him, and we need someone who can provide full reports and address some of the issues you’ve raised,” Bagbin explained.
The Speaker also urged consistency in oversight and reporting, warning against delays that could lead to administrative lapses and tragic outcomes. “We don’t have to wait and do it once every year or sometimes two years, causing a backlog that leads to rushed processes and tragic outcomes,” he said.
Bagbin further encouraged Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee to engage stakeholders and present detailed findings to the House. “With your support, the Committee on Defence and Interior should follow up on this matter. Later, you can schedule a date to present a full brief from the committee and the minister, as civil society is actively debating this issue, and many proposals have been put forward,” he added.
