Accra, Jan. 19, GNA - Sources close to the Office of the President on Monday confirmed the death of Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah (RTD), who was appointed by the President to be responsible for the Ministry of Defence.

Appointed on January 8, a day after President John Evans Atta Mills' inauguration, he died on Sunday, the sources confirmed. The cause of his death has not yet been established.

Until his death, the 66 year-old former top Naval Officer was the vice chairman of the Retired Navy Officers Association.

Vice-Admiral Owusu-Ansah was Chief of Naval Staff from October 1996 to March 2001 and served in the Ghana Armed Forces for 37 years. His appointment came along with those of Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, responsible for the Interior Ministry and Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (RTD) as acting National Security Adviser. Vice-Admiral Owusu-Ansah was SOME former top security chiefs who were banned from security installations by the former government after they had lunch with former President Jerry John Rawlings. 19 Jan. 09