Deputy Defence Minister Brogya Genfi has justified the recent government decision to retire 15 major generals and brigadiers from the Ghana Armed Forces, emphasizing that such moves are necessary to create opportunities for younger officers to advance in their military careers.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen Programme monitored by Kumasimail, Minister Genfi explained that promotions within the Ghana Armed Forces are contingent upon available positions at the higher ranks.
He noted that with a fixed number of senior roles, it is imperative for some officers to make way for others to grow.
Genfi said “One thing I didn’t say, maybe because I just didn’t want to talk about it, is that promotion at certain levels within the Ghana Armed Forces depends on established space.
“I have said that in 2022, we had 15 major generals and more brigadiers. If they do not move on, it blocks the path for others,” he added.
He further elaborated on the challenges faced by officers approaching retirement age.
“For example if you are a colonel aged 55, you have only 2 years left to go. You may not be able to rise and get the benefits of additional years. So, the more the top chokes, the more the lower levels leave, while the top still maintains its position. That’s how it is.”
The deputy defense minister contrasted the military promotion system with that of the judiciary, where there is more flexibility to add justices to higher courts such as the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.
“In the legal profession, you can add 20 Supreme Court justices if needed because there’s no fixed cap. But in the military, the structure is different someone must leave for another to grow,” he explained.
He concluded by highlighting the positive impact of the retirements on morale and development within the armed forces.
“So, the more you choke the top, the more those down begin to leave the service. Now, you can see that morale will be very high in terms of the development that has come,”he emphasized.:
Source :www.kumasimail.com Kwadwo Owusu
