Stephen Otu
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 | |
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Born | 23 October 1915 |
Died | October 23, 1979 64)[1] Nairobi, Kenya | (aged
Allegiance | Ghana |
Service/ | Ghana army |
Rank | Major General |
Commands held | Chief of the Defence Staff |
Career
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 the 1st 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.
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.
References
- Uwechue, R.; Limited, A.B. (1991). Makers of Modern Africa. Africa Journal Limited. ISSN 0261-1570. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
- "Past Army Commanders / Chiefs of Army Staff". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. February 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- "Volume 4 Chapter 1 - The Security Services". National Reconciliation Committee report. Ghana government. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- "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 2008-11-05.
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Brigadier J. A. Ankrah |
Chief of Army Staff 1962 – 1965 |
Succeeded by Major General C. M. Barwah |
Preceded by Major General Henry Templer Alexander |
Chief of the Defence Staff 1961 – 1965 |
Succeeded by Major General Nathan A. Aferi |