Executive Summary The proliferation of Generals during the last two decades appears to be inversely proportional to military capability-more stars in command, less capacity to shine on the battlefield.
During this period, Ghana's military saw its General Officer positions expand from the relatively stable 56 positions in 2004 to 125 in 2024, while the force strength only increased from above 20,000 to less than 30,000 personnel.
This policy brief examines President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's decision in January 2025 to promote Ghana's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to a 4-Star General rank while elevating other service chiefs to Lieutenant General or equivalent ranks.
This is only the second instance of a 4-Star General in Ghana's almost 68-year military history.
