Maj. Gen. Akwa is new Chief of Defence Staff

Major General Obed Akwa[/caption] President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Major General Obed Akwa as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff. The new head of the Ghana Armed Forces was introduced at a short ceremony at the Jubilee House on Thursday. President Akufo-Addo introducing Major General Akwa remarked, “I believe that his career and personality makes him strongly qualified to act in the top job of the armed forces.” The outgoing CDS Air Marshal Michael Samson Oje was also at the presidency to bid farewell to the president. Air Marshal Michael Samson Oje served as Chief of Air Staff for six years and one year as the Chief of Defence Staff. He served a total 41 years in the Ghana Armed Forces. President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude and on behalf of the people Ghana for his “high quality service” to the nation. He hoped the outgoing CDS would make himself available to the service of Ghana when called upon. “[The gathering] briefly, is to thank you very much for your service, and wish you and your family very well in the new undertaking that will come your way,” Nana Akufo-Addo said. The president recalled with fond memory the time Air Marshal Oje piloted former president Kufuor as well as being his pilot within the brief period he has been president. Air Marshal Michael Samson Oje was thankful to “almighty God for lifting me from my very fundamental base and to the top as the CDS of the Ghana Armed Forces”. “I can see a bright light for the Ghana Armed Forces,” he told the president as he commended him for the swift manner he solved their peacekeeping allowances. The “short period” their concern was addressed has “boosted the moral of personnel” he noted. He assured the president that there are “very capable” personnel in the Ghana Armed Forces and “are very loyal to you”. Below is the CV of Major General Obed Akwa  Master of Science (MSc) in Global Security – Cranfield University, United Kingdom, 2003. Masters of Science (MSc) in Defence and Strategic Studies – University of Madras, India 1997. Passed Staff College (psc) – Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India, 1997. Passed Staff College (psc) – Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Teshie, Ghana, 1989. Certificate in Public Administration – Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana, 1989. Junior Staff Course (jsc) – Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Teshie, Ghana, 1989. Diploma in Military Studies from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK from January 1976 – March 1977. Basic Officer training at the Ghana Military Academy from October 1975 – January 1976. General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level (GCE A level) – Sekondi College, Ghana 1975. General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (GCE O Level) – Mpraeso Secondary School, Ghana, 1973. The President also appointed current Commandant of the Military Training and Academy School, Major General Azure Ayamdo as the Acting Chief of Army Staff pending the consultation with the Council of State. By Isaac Essel |3news.com | Ghana]]>