Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has dismissed suggestions that the Ministry of Defence is without effective leadership amid calls by the Minority in Parliament for the appointment of a substantive minister.

The calls intensified following recent security incidents, including a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso that killed eight Ghanaian tomato traders, as well as an assault on a Ghanaian peacekeeping facility operating under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.

The Minority has recently urged President John Dramani Mahama to name a substantive Defence Minister after the death of former minister Edward Omane Boamah.

They argue that the sensitive nature of the defence portfolio requires a dedicated minister to oversee the sector.

However, speaking on Channel One TV, Brogya Genfi insisted the ministry continues to function smoothly and that there is no leadership gap.

He explained that the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, currently has oversight responsibility for the ministry while he supports in carrying out its duties.

“There is no vacuum. There is a Minister responsible for the Defence Ministry and that Minister is Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson. As Deputy Minister, I assist the Minister in the performance of his functions as the constitution mandates, so the ministry is functioning,” he stated.

Mr Brogya Genfi also took a swipe at the opposition, suggesting their criticism may reflect surprise at the President’s ability to run government with a relatively small number of ministers.

“Our brothers in opposition appear amazed that the President is able to manage affairs with 58 ministers,” he remarked.