The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the professional head of the Ghana Armed Forces.

[2] This council advice the President of Ghana on matters of policy relating to defence and also regulates the administration of the Armed Forces.

The Ghana Army was formed after World War II out of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force.

This position was effectively equivalent to Army commander as there was no Air Force or Navy.

Major-General Henry Alexander was appointed as the first CDS though he effectively doubled as the Ghana Army commander as well.