The Ministry of Defense (MOD) was established in 1957 with the duty of formulating, and managing the implementation of policies aimed at safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation as well as ensuring the protection of life and property. Over the years, MOD has evolved and transformed itself to its current status of excellence with regards to performance of its functions. The current goal of the Ministry of Defense is to ensure security and adequate protection of life, property and rights of all nationals especially the vulnerable and excluded within a democratic environment.

STRATEGIC REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Mandate

Section 11 of the Civil Service Law (PNDCL 327) governs the establishment, operations and internal structure of Government Ministries.

The Act (Section 13 of the PNDCL 327) further outlines the specific roles of a Ministry as follows:

1. Initiate and formulate policies;
2. Undertake development planning in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission; and
3. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the sector.

Vision Statement

 

“The vision of the Ministry of Defence is to develop highly professional, effective, efficient and politically neutral Armed Forces which is subject to democratic and civilian control”.

Mission Statement

 

The Ministry of Defense exists “to proactively promote National and Regional Defence interest and effectively contribute to the National Development Agenda”.

Policy Goals

 

The Sector Policies and Programmes are derived from the Defense Sector Goals as contained in the National Defense Policy and include the following:

 Policy Objectives

• To improve the state of combat readiness of the Ghana Armed Forces for rapid response to any security threat .
• To improve logistical infrastructure for the Ghana Armed Forces
• To improve human resource and institutional capacity of the MOD and the GAF.
• To support national efforts aimed at transforming the nature of the economy to achieve growth and reduce poverty especially among the vulnerable and excluded.
• To improve the welfare of Servicemen and Veterans
• To support GAF participation in external Peace Support Operations
• To improve civil-military relations

Functions

 

The Ministry of Defence performs its functions in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the Civil Service Act 1993 (PNDCL 327) and specific functions in line with its mandate as follows:

1. To initiate and formulate policies in relation to the operations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), especially in areas of remuneration, logistics and resources to enable them function efficiently.
2. To work in close collaboration with the National Security Council and the Armed Forces Council to formulate National Defence Policies relating to peace-keeping, internal and external security and the total defence of the nation.

• To prepare and defend its budget estimates together with those of other interests including the budget of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG) before Cabinet and Parliament .

1. To provide inputs for defence leadership, guidance and sound interpretation of defence policies
2. To facilitate the capacity building of its staff as well as those of the GAF
3. To facilitate the provision of social infrastructure like roads/bridges, health facilities and education

• In collaboration with other security agencies and civil authority to ensure the maintenance of law and order
• To forge and maintain closer links with civil society and the private sector and other Ministerial Organisations.

1. Co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance sector.