Ghana Armed Forces entourage led by the Defence Minister, Honourable (Hon) Dominic Nitiwul have commiserated with the family of late Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd) at his residence at Spintex on Tuesday19 December, 2023.

Hon Nitiwul described the late Lt Gen Smith as a pleasant and unique person who lived a fulfilled life and left a big legacy in Ghana. He indicated that the life of the late General throughout his Military career helped in the restoration of peace and security in Ghana. He averred that the late General served the country as a true statesman in various operational capacities both external and internal, like operation ‘Gongon’ which helped in the maintenance of peace in Ghana.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) expressed his condolences to the bereaved family. He added that Lt Gen Smith was irreplaceable and encouraged the families to stay strong during this difficult period.

The delegation made some donations in cash and in kind to the family and assured them GAF would provide the necessary support for the late Senior Officer to be given a befitting burial. 

The wife of the late Senior Officer and brother, Madam Douha Smith and Ambassador Emmanuel Victor Smith thanked the Minister for Defence and the Military High Command for the support they rendered family him during his treatment abroad.  

They officially announced his funeral rite, slated for Saturday 23 December 2023 at Al Aziz Central Mosque in Burma Camp and interred at the Military Cemetery.

Late Lt Gen Smith Smith was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in October 1965 with the Ghana Army Engineer Corps, rose through the ranks and became Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from 1996-2001. On retirement was appointed Minister for Defence and later became Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America. He died on Tuesday 19 December 2023 after a short illness at the age of 78 years.