A former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice-Admiral Matthew Quashie, has died.

The late CDS, who served under the erstwhile Mahama-led administration, is said to have died on Thursday, 9 January 2020 at the 37 Military Hospital.

The cause of his death is not readily known, but sources say he has been battling with an ailment since the passing away of his wife in 2019.

Profile:

Born on 23 March 1951, Vice-Admiral Quashie became the 27th CDS in March 2013, having been appointed by then President John Dramani Mahama.

He succeeded Lt General Peter A. Blay and was succeeded by Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, who also passed on the mantle to the current CDS, Lt General Obed Akwa.

Vice-Admiral Quashie served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 3 April 2009 to 28 March 2013.

He was a product of Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education (‘O’ Level)

The late CDS also attended the Ghana Secondary/Technical School in Takoradi from 1970 to 1972, where he obtained his GCE Advanced Level (‘A’ Level).

Having enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy in 1972, the late Vice-Admiral Quarshie also trained at the Britannia Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom, completing his training in 1974.

He returned to Ghana and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant into the Executive Branch of the Ghana Navy in July of the same year.