Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu was enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy in 1989 and was commissioned on 16 August 1991 as an Infantry Officer. He has served in various capacities in the Ghana Armed Forces. These include Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer and Adjutant of the 4 Infantry Battalion. He was also an Instructor at the Army Recruit Training School, Shai Hills, GSO II (Operations and Training) at the Support Services Brigade Camp Group as well as Second-in-command and Commanding Officer of the 5 Infantry Battalion. Other appointments include Directing Staff, Chief Instructor Army Faculty, Chief Instructor Joint Studies and Chief Coordinator at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

He is currently the Chief of the Army Staff. He served as the Assistant Director Army Operations and Director of Civilian Staff at the Army Headquarters. He also served as Deputy Director General, Department of Defence Industries at the General Headquarters and Deputy Commandant at the Ghana Armed Forces Training and Doctrine Command.