Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd), has issued a stark warning about the trajectory of Ghanaian society, calling for an urgent “moral reset” to safeguard the future of the country’s youth.
Speaking at the launch of his memoir in Accra on Friday, the respected statesman expressed deep concern over what he described as the erosion of communal values and the rise of materialism, cautioning that the nation is raising a generation without a firm moral compass.
“I generally worry about the future,” Brig. Gen. Nunoo-Mensah told a gathering of dignitaries, military personnel, and well-wishers at Christ the King Catholic Church. “What kind of world are you going to leave to our children and grandchildren?”
A Call for Moral Rebirth
The former military leader, who has served at the highest levels of Ghana’s armed forces and government, argued that the country must deliberately return to the fundamental principles of honesty, hard work, and respect to ensure a stable and prosperous future. He lamented that the sense of love, community, and shared humanity that once defined Ghanaian neighborhoods is fading away.
Reflecting on the pressures facing the current generation, he questioned whether young people are being equipped with the right values. In a conversation with renowned broadcaster Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), the retired General highlighted the intense social pressures of modern life, particularly the public display of wealth and the relentless pursuit of quick fame and recognition.
Contrasting this with his own upbringing in Winneba, he shared how he funded his education through humble, menial jobs, including loading cocoa and working as a driver’s mate. “We were taught discipline and truthfulness,” he stated firmly. “Those were non-negotiable.”
From Sandhurst to Statesman: A Life of Principle
The event served as a tribute to a life of service and integrity. A biographical profile traced Brig. Gen. Nunoo-Mensah’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming the first Ghanaian officer to be appointed Chief of Defence Staff on two separate occasions—first in 1979 and again in 1982. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he was the best overseas cadet and won the academic sword, his career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to principle, famously resigning in November 1982 on the grounds that soldiers should not be entrenched in political governance.
He later served the Fourth Republic as National Security Advisor under Presidents John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama until 2013.
‘A Rare Elder’: Cheddar Pays Tribute
Entrepreneur and political figure Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, delivered a powerful tribute, hailing the retired General as a “rare elder” who offers genuine support to younger leaders based on conviction, not convenience. Mr. Bediako recounted how Brig. Gen. Nunoo-Mensah publicly stood by him during a critical moment in his political journey, an act he described as carrying profound moral weight.
In a gesture of deep respect and gratitude, Mr. Bediako announced that he would personally cover the full cost of publishing the memoir, titled “My Memoirs: I Don’t Follow the Crowd,” describing the General as a man who is principled, bold, and consistent in both thought and action.
‘A National Document’
Chairing the ceremony, Colonel Benjamin Ahlijah (Rtd) lauded the memoir not just as a personal recollection, but as a vital national document. He stated that the book offers a first-hand account of critical junctures in Ghana’s military and political history—including military interventions and transitions to constitutional rule—that many Ghanaians only know through fragmented narratives.
“This book is a primary source,” Col. Ahlijah said. “When those who witnessed pivotal events fail to write, future generations are left with incomplete accounts. This is essential for deepening public understanding of our past and strengthening our democratic culture.”
He formally launched the book and urged public institutions, libraries, and the academic community to support the documentation of Ghana’s history through such personal memoirs. He encouraged all Ghanaians to read it, not only for its rich historical value but for its enduring lessons on courage, discipline, and the power of independent thought.
