President John Dramani Mahama has approved a major reorganisation of the National Security Secretariat, resulting in the appointment and reassignment of six senior officials as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s national security architecture.
Under the changes announced by the Presidency, Major General (Rtd.) William Ayamdo has been appointed Deputy National Security Coordinator, while the former National Security Coordinator, Yaw Donkor, has been reassigned to serve as Director of Intelligence and Research at the Office of the National Security Advisor.
The changes, which take immediate effect, are intended to streamline operations within the national security establishment, improve efficiency and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats. The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday evening, August 11, 2026, by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The restructuring comes at a time when national security agencies are facing increasingly complex challenges, including intelligence gathering, organised crime, terrorism threats, cybercrime, transnational criminal activities and other emerging security concerns.
Major General (Rtd.) Ayamdo brings extensive military experience to his new position as Deputy National Security Coordinator. A former Chief of Army Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, his appointment is expected to add significant operational and military expertise to the leadership of the National Security Secretariat.
His new role will involve supporting the coordination of national security operations and working with other security agencies to strengthen the country’s overall security posture. Yaw Donkor, who previously served as National Security Coordinator, has also been given a new responsibility within the security establishment. He will now serve as Director of Intelligence and Research at the Office of the National Security Advisor.
His reassignment is expected to allow him to draw on his experience in national security coordination and intelligence-related matters in a role focused more specifically on intelligence analysis, research and the provision of strategic information to support national security decision-making. The changes also affect the leadership of investigations within the National Security Secretariat.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alhassan Osman, who previously served as Director of Investigations at the Secretariat, has been reassigned to the Ghana Police Service for further deployment. ACP Osman’s reassignment effectively ends his current role at the National Security Secretariat and returns him to the Police Service, where his experience in investigations is expected to be utilised in another capacity.
The Presidency did not immediately disclose the specific position to which ACP Osman will be deployed within the Police Service. Three other appointments were announced as part of the reorganisation.
Adamu Saaka has been appointed Director of Logistics and Transport, a position that will oversee critical logistical and transportation requirements within the national security establishment. Faustina Effah-Boadi has also been appointed Officer in Charge of the Human Security Department.
The Human Security Department plays an important role in addressing security from a broader perspective, including issues that affect the safety, welfare and wellbeing of individuals and communities.DCOP (Rtd.) Peter Ndekugri has meanwhile been appointed Officer in Charge of the Special Investigations Unit.
His appointment is expected to strengthen the unit’s capacity to handle sensitive investigations requiring specialised attention within the national security framework.
According to the Presidency, the appointments and reassignments form part of a broader effort to streamline operations at the National Security Secretariat and ensure that its structures remain responsive to the country’s changing security environment. The reorganisation is also intended to improve institutional efficiency and strengthen coordination among the various agencies and departments responsible for protecting Ghana’s national interests.
The National Security Secretariat serves as a key coordinating institution within Ghana’s security architecture. It supports the National Security Council and provides advice to the President on matters relating to national security. The Secretariat also plays a role in coordinating the activities of various security and intelligence agencies, ensuring that information is shared and analysed to support effective decision-making.
The latest reshuffle therefore places renewed emphasis on intelligence, investigations, logistics, human security and specialised operations, areas considered critical to maintaining national security in an increasingly complex environment.
The appointment of Major General (Rtd.) Ayamdo as Deputy National Security Coordinator is particularly notable given his background in the Ghana Armed Forces. His experience at the highest levels of military command could provide additional operational depth to the Secretariat as it seeks to respond to both conventional and emerging security challenges.
Meanwhile, the reassignment of Yaw Donkor to intelligence and research signals a continued emphasis on the role of intelligence in anticipating and addressing security threats before they escalate. The Presidency has not indicated whether further changes are expected within the National Security Secretariat or other security agencies.
For now, the six appointments and reassignments take immediate effect, marking a significant adjustment to the personnel and responsibilities within Ghana’s national security establishment under the Mahama administration.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah