EL-WAK TRAGEDY: Ntim Fordjour Blames Stampede Partly on Lack of Substantive Defence Minister
Credit: Albert Kuzor
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has partly blamed the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on government’s failure to appoint a substantive Minister for Defence.
Speaking on JoyNews Midday News on Wednesday, Rev. Fordjour said the absence of leadership at the Defence Ministry following the death of Dr. Omane Boamah in a helicopter crash on August 6 has created a “dangerous administrative vacuum.”
“It is so sad that when the Minority constantly gives suggestions that need to be taken into consideration, all in the name of goodwill, they are ignored,” he lamented.
He noted that for three months, the ministry has lacked proper leadership despite repeated calls from the Minority for a substantive appointment.
“We are talking about the Defence Ministry. For three months, there has been no proper leadership, and we have said it again and again: appoint a substantive Minister for Defence to ensure proper coordination. Unfortunately, no seriousness was attached to it,” he stressed.
Rev. Fordjour described the situation as “very dangerous and risky,” arguing that a substantive minister could have provided the necessary direction to ensure a well-organized recruitment process — possibly preventing the tragedy.
He also criticised the decision to assign Finance Minister Dr. Atto Forson as acting Defence Minister, saying the dual responsibility limits effective oversight.
“The Finance Minister is busy preparing the national budget to present to Parliament tomorrow. The Ministry of Finance alone is a very complex portfolio — one of the largest in any country. To appoint the Finance Minister as acting Defence Minister, knowing his workload, and expect effective leadership, is disingenuous and unfair to the people,” he argued.
Rev. Fordjour therefore called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Defence Minister to restore leadership stability and avert similar tragedies in the future.
