Minister-designate of Defence, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, has pledged to prioritise the mental health of soldiers by leveraging existing practitioners in the system and training more mental health professionals to support the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Appearing before Parliament’s Accounts Committee during his vetting yesterday, he emphasised the importance of mental health, stating that, “without sound mental health, security personnel cannot adequately provide the security we expect from them.”
Dr Omane Boamah revealed plans to address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military personnel, which he noted affects individuals across all professions, including soldiers.
He assured the committee that if approved, he would ensure measures were implemented to protect the mental and general well-being of GAF members.
On health infrastructure, the nominee committed to re-equipping the 37 Military Hospital to better serve patients, adding that innovative mechanisms would be introduced across all military hospitals in the country to ease pressure on the 37 Military Hospital.
He also pledged to complete the abandoned Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region in order to enhance healthcare delivery for the armed forces.
Dr Omane Boamah further stressed the need for rigorous recruitment processes in the GAF, vowing to eliminate the infiltration of unqualified persons into the military.
He warned of the dire consequences of bypassing proper procedures, especially in medical screenings, saying, “There are people who have lost their lives during training, and upon further probe, one will realise the deceased did not go through the required medicals thoroughly. This is bad.”
He assured the committee that he would uphold equity and discipline in all decisions, including ensuring regional balance in recruitment.
Touching on terrorism threats in the West African sub-region, Dr Omane Boamah stressed the importance of forward operating bases (FOBs) for national security.
He commended previous governments for their efforts in handling security matters and pledged to accelerate the completion of ongoing FOB projects, extending their reach beyond Ghana’s borders.
“We will do everything within our powers to protect and defend Ghana when I am approved,” he said.
Moreover, the minister-designate also touched on the Ghana Air Force and Navy’s need for re-equipment, stressing the importance of both acquiring vessels and conscientising citizens to report suspicious activities.
On accommodation challenges, he described the GAF’s housing deficit of over 15,000 as unacceptable and outlined plans to explore funding options, including peace support programmes, to address the issue.
Additionally, Dr Omane Boamah promised to ensure timely payment of compensation to spouses of deceased military personnel, noting delays of up to two years in some cases. “The welfare of GAF personnel and their dependents is of significance to me,” he added.
To foster collaboration and reduce tension between the military and police, he proposed joint occasional training sessions to strengthen bonds and enhance operational synergy.
The Defence Minister-designate concluded by reiterating his commitment to improving the conditions of service for GAF personnel, expressing confidence that such reforms would drastically reduce mental health challenges within the armed forces.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
