Maj. Gen. Joseph Narh Adinkrah (Rtd) departs for eternity!
On Friday, February 13, 2026, the funeral service of Maj. Gen. Joseph Narh Adinkrah (Rtd) took place at the Garrison Methodist-Presbyterian Church (GMPC), Burma Camp.
Gen. Adinkrah was the Chief of Army Staff (Army Commander) of Ghana from 2009 to 2013. Among the mourners who thronged GMPC were the CDS Lt Gen William Agyapong and the Service Chiefs (Commanders), serving and retired generals, senior officers, officers and men, as well as defence civilian staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Also present was the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Ghana, Rosemary Mbabazi.
Born in 1950 at Koforidua, young Adinkrah attended Accra Academy from 1965-1970 for his GCE “O Level,” and the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi, for his GCE “A Level” from 1970-1972 as a member of a special Sixth Form Scheme by the GAF called the Regular Officers Training Scheme (ROTS), a brainchild of the CDS then, Air Marshal MA Otu.
On completion of Sixth Form in June 1972, Gen. Adinkrah and his thirty-eight other mates entered the Ghana Military Academy as Regular Career Course (RCC) Intake 15. The group was commissioned on July 21, 1973, with Second-Lieutenant Adinkrah as an Infantry officer posted to 2nd Battalion, Takoradi.
The tribute below by his mates summarises Gen. Adinkrah’s career.
Tribute
Romans 14, 7-8: For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.
So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord”
In his book titled “Allan Quartermain,” the English author/writer, Sir Rider Haggard states:
“The great wheel of fate rolls on like a Juggernaut and crushes us all in turn, some soon, some late! It does not matter when. In the end, it crushes us all.”
Fatalistic as this might sound and difficult as it is to understand, it summarises the hard reality of the mystery of death.
Indeed, it is for this reason that we are here today to mourn the passing of our brother, Maj. Gen. Joseph Narh Adinkrah (Rtd)
In 1970, the GAF, on the initiative of the CDS Air Marshal MA Otu, embarked on a new project for the training of its future officers.
Among others, the aim included the upgrade of the entry requirement into the Ghana Military Academy from the General Certificate of Education (GCE O Level) to the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE Advanced Level), followed by a university degree, for the training of officers.
The programme was called the Regular Officers’ Training Scheme (ROTS).
To this end, thirty-nine (39) boys from schools all over Ghana who had just successfully passed their GCE “O” Level were selected and sponsored by the GAF to do a two-year Sixth Form course for their Advanced Level at the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi, from 1970 - 1972.
One of us was Joseph Narh Adinkrah from Accra Academy.
Easily the tallest among us at 6 feet 5 inches, Ray, as we affectionately called him, was rather quiet and unassuming, and bore our naughty boyish teasing calmly with equanimity.
When we were commissioned as second lieutenants in July 1973, 2/Lt Adinkrah was posted to 2 Battalion of Infantry, Takoradi.
Going through the mill, he served as an instructor at the erstwhile Junior Leaders Company, Kumasi, and at the 2 Brigade Headquarters, now Central Command, Kumasi.
He also served as an MA to Rear Admiral Joy Amedume, the then Central Regional Minister.
Later, he was an instructor at the Ghana Military Academy, Teshie, before being appointed the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion of Infantry, Sunyani.
It was at this stage in his career that duty took him and his Battalion to Rwanda in 1994. Working under the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) of the United Nations Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR), then Brig. Gen. Henry Anyidoho, it has been stated that the 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed in the Rwandan genocide could have hit a million, but for the extraordinary bravery of Lt Col “Ray” Adinkrah and his Battalion, when the whole world abandoned Rwanda.
Ray’s cool and calm composure helped save many lives.
This was after Belgium sponsored a UN Security Council Resolution 912, effectively closing down UNAMIR after the killing of 10 Belgian soldiers. Of the UNAMIR strength of 2500, only 270 Ghanaian soldiers remained after the UN withdrawal.
Later, Gen. Adinkrah became the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC,) Northern (now Central) Command, and ultimately the Chief of Army Staff (Army Commander) from 2009-2013.
Following his exploits in Rwanda, not surprisingly, in August 2023, Ray, now Maj. Gen. Adinkrah (Rtd), was invited together with Maj. Gen. Henry Anyidoho (Rtd) by President Kagame to Kigali, where Rwanda’s highest national honours were conferred on the two for their selfless service to humanity.
In retirement, Gen. Adinkrah characteristically led a quiet life until his demise on December 4, 2025, when he was called to eternity.
As Paul said in 2 Timothy 4, 7-8: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Ray, this is exactly what you have done for God and country (Ghana).
The people of Rwanda will never forget your sacrifices for them in 1994.
Your brothers of Intake 15 say, Adieu! Rest in peace!
Discussion
Maj. Gen. Adinkrah’s calm and unassuming leadership style will be remembered by all officers and men who served under him.
His name is etched in gold in Rwanda for his outstanding role in 1994 as a battalion commander who, together with DFC Maj. Gen. Anyidoho, saved many lives, after the UN had abandoned Rwanda following the killing of 10 Belgian soldiers.
Leadership, lead with integrity/example/humility! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up!
The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association Nairobi, Kenya;
Council Chairman, Family Health University, Teshie, Accra.
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