Defence Minister Inaugurates New Defence Industries Holding Company Limited Governing Board
The Hon Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah inaugurated a new nine-member Governing Board for the Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC), at a ceremony held at the Ministry. The oversight responsibility of the board is to ensure the development and restructuring of Ghana's defence industries.
The Minister administered the Oaths of Office, Secrecy and Allegiance to the board members who are tasked with the steering of affairs of DIHOC. The new board is Chaired by the Deputy Defence Minister, Hon Ernest Brogya Genfi. The members are Mr Emmanuel Kartey (Chief Director at the Ministry of Defence), Lieutenant General William Agyapong (Chief of the Defence Staff), Hon Emmanuel Drah (MP Upper West Akim Constituency), Brigadier General Kweku Dankwa Hagan (Director General Defence Industries Department), Colonel John Wilberforce Kweku Asabre Rtd (Director Veterans of Administration), Vida Addae (Private Business Woman), Kwadwo Gyeke-Darko (Private Businessman) and Brigadier General Charles Gbekle (Director General Legal Services, Member/Secretary).
In his address, Dr Omane Boamah described DIHOC as a strategic partner in implementing key national projects and policies under the Government's reset agenda. He emphasised the growing complexity of global security and the need to transform DIHOC into a centre of excellence in defence manufacturing, engineering, logistics and strategic innovation through the establishment of a Defence Industrial Complex structured to spearhead Ghana's Industrialisation agenda. He urged the board to operate with independence, integrity and a commitment to building sustainable systems that would last beyond their tenure.
Responding on behalf of the board, Hon Ernest Brogya Genfi expressed gratitude to the Minister for the trust and confidence reposed in him and the committee. He assured that the committee would do its utmost best to uphold high standards, integrity, accountability and transparency. The Chairman expressed optimism that the collective expertise of the members would position DIHOC for greater impact and relevance, especially within the framework of the Government's reset initiative.
DIHOC was established in 2010 under the late President John Evans Atta Mills and further strengthened under President John Dramani Mahama. It serves as the industrial arm of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). It is envisioned to be the industrial wing of GAF in designing production and delivery of strategic products and services to support national security and socio-economic development. DIHOC partners various Ministries such as Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Food and Agric, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Other entities include the 24-hour Economy Secretariat, National Alternative Livelihood Empowerment Program, National Service Authority and the National Youth Authority in alignment with the Government's reset agenda for national development.