President Mahama swears in New Chief of Army Staff

President John Mahama, has sworn in the new Chief of Army Staff Major General Obed Boama Akwa with a task to continue to exhibit loyalty to the state.

Over the weekend, President Mahama in consultation with the Council if state appointed Major General Akwa and approved the promotion of several other officers.

Until his appointment, he was the Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre at Teshie.GhanaPoliticsOnline.Com

The ceremony was witnessed by the Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Minister of Defence, Dr. Kumbour, Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshall Samson Oje and other Service Chiefs.

The appointment of Major General Obed Boamah Akwa as Chief of Army Staff, engaged the attention of many Ghanaians for good reasons.

Hinging on the fact that he was an Aide-de-Camp to former President John Agyekum Kufour.

Many say this gives credit to the Mahama-led administration that it is non-discriminatory in appointment.

Major General Akwa is on record to have completed all requisite professional courses up to the staff college level.

He has also held some key appointments including Commander of the Ghana Military Academy, Commanding Officer of the Ghana Military Battalion of the Ghana Army and Assistant Director of Training of the Ghana Army Headquarters.

Among many other honours he was awarded with the Member of the Volta Security Service Division.

Having taken him through the Oaths of Gffice, Allegiance and Security, the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President John Mahama, stated Major General Akwa`s loyalty and professionalism earned him the appointment.

He charged him not to let those virtues get lost in him as he takes on a new portfolio.

On the elections and security, President Mahama said government will continue to resource the security services to enable them to be well prepared to defend the country at all times.

He said as tensions mount, the Ghana Army must partner the police to ensure peace in particularly flash points.

On behalf of the new Chief Army Staff, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Marshall Michael Samson Oje, said the task to remain loyal and professional to the state will be imbibed.

Major General Obed Boamah Akwa was until his appointment the Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

In a related development, Security Analyst, David Agbey, has lauded President John Mahama over the latest appointments and promotions to command positions in the Ghana Armed Forces.

He particularly lauded the President over the appointment of Major General Obed Akwa, as Chief of the Army Staff.

In an interview with Radio Ghana Mr. Agbey encouraged the newly-appointed and promoted military officers to work to protect the territorial integrity of Ghana and also not to let the President and Commander-in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, John Mahama down.