The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Defence Minister to effectively manage the affairs of Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Speaker emphasized that while the acting Defence Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is competent, the growing demands on the ministry require a permanent and fully dedicated officeholder.
“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,” Speaker Bagbin said.
“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.”
Background: El-Wak Sports Stadium Recruitment Tragedy
The Speaker’s remarks came during a parliamentary session addressing the tragic stampede that occurred at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.
The incident, which happened on Wednesday, November 12, resulted in the death of six applicants and left several others injured.
Reports indicate that thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the venue in hopes of securing limited recruitment slots, leading to overcrowding, chaos, and eventual stampedes at multiple centres, including Accra and Kumasi.
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that the death toll remains at six, urging the public to ignore unverified reports circulating on social media.
Bagbin Questions Annual Recruitment Model
In his address, Speaker Bagbin also questioned the annual recruitment model used by the Ghana Armed Forces and other security services, describing it as outdated and risky.
“What prevents this country from having a continuous recruitment or enlistment process?” he asked.
“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 directed the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior to investigate the matter and present a full briefing on the recruitment procedures and safety protocols in future exercises.
Parliament to Follow Up on Defence Oversight
Speaker Bagbin instructed the committee to engage with the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces to review recruitment policies, improve crowd management strategies, and enhance transparency in selection procedures.
He further emphasized that civil society groups and experts have already raised similar concerns, urging collaboration to prevent future tragedies.
