The National Security Coordinator, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Francis Adu-Amanfoh, with effect from today, Monday, August 8, 2022, will act as Special Advisor to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo on the Accra Initiative.
The ex-Ghana’s ambassador to Liberia, has been replaced by his deputy, a former Executive Director of the Danquah Institute (DI), Edward Kwaku Asomani, Political researcher and policy analyst.
Mr Asomani, will be the first person outside mainstream state security setup to assume a position which has seen senior military officers, senior police officers, as well as undercover operatives from the hitherto Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) leading it.
The appointment of Mr Asomani, according to a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, on Friday, August 5, 2022, is in accordance with Section 20 (1) of the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030).
The confirmation of his appointment is subject to the receipt of the constitutionally-required advice of the National Security Council, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Adu-Amanfoh, who took over from the late Joshua Kyeremeh, will be working out of the Office of the President.
The Accra Initiative was launched in September 2017 by Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, as a vehicle for enhanced security cooperation amongst the countries, in response to the growing threats of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa.
The President, has also appointed Kwaku Domfeh, Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), as Ambassador-designate to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Further to Section 15 (1) of the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), the President has appointed Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, currently Deputy Director-General of NIB, to act, with effect from Monday, 8th August 2022, as Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau, with his confirmation also being subject to the receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the National Security Council, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Three years ago, a statement signed by the Chairman of Governing Board of the Institute, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, appointed Mr Asomani, as Executive Director of the Danquah Institute (DI).
He was mandated to lead the Institute by providing effective leadership, promoting the ideology of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia traditions.
Gabby’s statement said Mr Asomani was expected to foster responsible governance on the continent and espousing the virtues of individual liberties and economic freedom.
He was to leverage on the enviable reputation of the Danquah Institute in Ghana and the work done by the past Executive Directors in the pursuit of his charge.
“He will also be expected to undertake important research, policy advocacy, training and most importantly actively seek and mentor the next generation of leaders. Additionally, he will oversee and manage the institution’s relationships with like-minded think tanks in Africa and across the globe,” the statement added.
Edward, he said, had a track record of rigorous research, informed intellectual discourse, and passionate debate, which were key elements of the Danquah Institute.
“As an alumnus of the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Ghana, Edward comes to the
job with the right training and experience to help him succeed in the role. His research interests include the political economy of Africa, US foreign policy towards Africa, political leadership, elections and electoral democracy,” the statement had said.
Before joining the Danquah Institute (DI), Edward worked in Academia, Health, and Finance. He was a member of the management team at the Cambian Group and Co-Director of UPJ Consultancy London. At UP J, he oversaw the work of the consultancy with partners such as Deloitte, Royal Bank of Scotland and Handelsbanken.
Kwaku is an ardent believer in, and advocate of individual freedoms, free enterprise and the rule of law. He passionately believes in a society which rewards individual innovation and hard work.
