Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith, generally known as JH Smith, a former Minister of Defence and Army Commander of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has died at the age of 78.
According to family members, he died on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, after succumbing to a brief illness.
According to 3news.com, Ambassador Victor Smith, the late Lieutenant General JH Smith’s younger brother, confirmed his death.
“Funeral arrangements, according to Muslim tradition, will be announced as soon as possible.” the report stated.
In addition to his remarkable military career, the late Lt. Gen. JH Smith served as Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2013 during the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ term.
He also held the position of Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States under the former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith was twice married. He had three children from his first marriage and two from his second marriage with Douha Smith. He had a younger brother, Emmanuel Victor Smith who used to be spokesperson for Ex President Jerry Rawlings and also was one time Ghana Ambassador the United Kingdom.