Vice-Admiral E.O. Owusu-Ansah Passes on‏

Audrey Micah, Ghanadot

Accra, Jan 19, Ghanadot - Vice-Admiral E.O. Owusu-Ansah, appointed temporary Defense Minister by the Mills Administration, has been reported dead.

His appointment came along with those of Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni as Interior Minister and Brigadier-General Nunoo Mensah as National Security Adviser among others.

Until his recent appointment, Vice-Admiral Owusu-Ansah was a close confidant of former President Rawlings and was regularly in the latter's entourage during his nationwide campaign tour for Election 2008.

Vice-Admiral E.O. Owusu-Ansah was one-time Chief of Naval Staff (Oct 1996 – Mar 2001) and served in the army for 37 years. He was appointed into the defense position on January 8, 2009, barely 24 hours after the new administration took office.

Reports reaching Ghanadot indicate that family members have gathered at the deceased house.  Others are also trying to come to terms with shock and dismay over his death.

According to the spokesperson of the Transition Team, Hannah Tetteh, it is disheartening that a man with so much potential and knowledge can just leave them without any word. She said the party and as well as the government of Ghana have lost such a great and talented man whose experience as a Chief of Naval Staff could have helped the nation tremendously.

Ms. Tetteh however noted that their administration still have competent technocrats who can fill in the gap created by the death of their colleague Vice-Admiral E.O. Owusu-Ansah.

When asked whether she has anyone in mind for the position, Ms. Hannah Tetteh said it too soon to determine who takes up the position but was optimistic that president Mills will soon name who the Defense minister would be.

She disclosed that the NDC family and the nation will always remember his contribution to the country and his selfless participation for ensuring that the party was victorious.

Ghanadot