Major General Stephen Joseph Asamoa Otu (23 October 1915 – 23 October 1979) was a former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces. He was the first Ghanaian officer to serve in this capacity.
Stephen J. A. Otu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 October 1915 |
| Died | 23 October 1979 (aged 64)[1] Nairobi, Kenya |
| Allegiance | Ghana |
| Service/ | Ghana army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Chief of the Defence Staff |
Career edit
Stephen Otu volunteered for service in the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force. His service marked him out as a potential officer and, in 1947, he was posted to an Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) in the United Kingdom to undertake a selection course. He passed out successfully and was commissioned on 1 May 1948. A decade later, in 1958, he became one of the original officers of the Ghana Regiment, when the Gold Coast gained its independence.[citation needed]
Initially a Company Commander (Major), he was soon promoted to command a Battalion, as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He continued through the higher ranks until, in October 1962, he became only the second Ghanaian to become the Chief of Army Staff, a position he occupied until July 1965 when the army headquarters became annexed to the Ministry of Defence.[2] In 1961 the remaining British Army personnel left Ghana and Major-General S.J.A. Otu [3] succeeded Major General Henry Templer Alexander,[4] a British officer on loan, taking overall command as the first Ghanaian officer to become the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ Uwechue, R.; Limited, A.B. (1991). Makers of Modern Africa. Africa Journal Limited. ISSN 0261-1570. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Past Army Commanders / Chiefs of Army Staff". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. February 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
- ^ "Volume 4 Chapter 1 - The Security Services". National Reconciliation Committee report. Ghana government. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
- ^ "Past General Officers Commanding /chiefs of the Defence Staff". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
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