We have monopoly over the use of force- CDS

The Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshall Samson-Oje who was addressing the press in Accra on Friday [November 25] said, the Armed Forces will deal ruthlessly with anyone involved in the plot to disrupt the electoral exercise since the Army has monopoly over the use of force.

According to him “the armed and security agencies on the other hand, have the monopoly over the use of force in this nation”. 

He noted that the Military was adequately prepared to perform its roles effectively before, during and after the elections, adding that, it was important for other stakeholders to join the military ensure peace during the period.

“We have the capacity and capabilities of applying varying degrees of force to any situation to ensure peace and security. I appeal to the media to let us jointly apply all the means at our disposal to ensure a peaceful, free and fair elections.”

I reproduce the speech read by the CDS

Good morning, I wish on behalf of the officers, men, women and civilian employees of the Ghana Armed Forces to welcome our friends from the Media and our colleagues from the Civil Police to today’s Media Interaction. It has always been my pleasure to engage with the media and it is my hope that today’s interaction will be as fruitful as the one we had earlier in the year.

We are all aware that barely two weeks from now we as Ghanaians will be going to the polls to elect leaders to guide the affairs of our dear nation. The Security Agencies and the Press are major stakeholders in this endeavor considering the role we both play in safeguarding the sanctity of the democratic process. That provides the reason for us to interact to discuss the best way to support our dear nation in this all important venture.

It is not for nothing that the Media is referred to as the Fourth Estate of the realm. The Media has become a political and institutional force whose influence cannot be underestimated. The power of the Media derives from the reliance of the citizenry on it for information as well as its function as a feedback loop for government. This influence has been magnified by technological advances which have revolutionized the media landscape.

The paradox of the situation is that while this exponential advancement in the Media landscape enhances its capacity to further the cause of democracy, it also enhances its destructive capacity. The Media is therefore a double edged sword which if professionally employed could serve as a tool for the advancement of democracy but if not properly managed and controlled could spell the doom of the democratic process. Africa cannot easily forget the role that the Media played in the conflict that brought genocide to Rwanda and civil war to other African Countries.

THE ARMED AND SECURITY AGENCIES ON THE OTHER HAND, HAVE THE MONOPOLY OVER THE USE OF FORCE IN THIS NATION. WE HAVE THE CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY TO APPLY VARYING DEGREES OF FORCE TO ANY SITUATION TO ENSURE PEACE AND SECURITY. I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO YOU THE MEDIA, TO LET US JOINTLY EMPLOY ALL THE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

I will like to assure all and sundry that the Armed Forces will abide by all the ethical codes and principles that govern our noble profession in the prosecution of our assigned tasks and roles regarding the upcoming elections. We intend to play our role without prejudice, fear or favor. We remain committed to our oath to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. And in this resolve, we shall not falter. We will like to call on the media to give the people of Ghana timely and fair reportage, and also to block out anyone who uses foul or inciteful language or any form of hate speech. Together, we can ensure a peaceful election. Together we can keep this country intact for our children and generations yet unborn.

Before I take my seat, I want to sound a note of caution to any person or group of persons who intend to cause any kind of trouble during the election period. We in the Military are ready and prepared together with the Civil Police and other sister Security Services to deal ruthlessly with any such person or group. I wish to especially appeal to our young and energetic youth not to allow themselves to be deceived and be used for violent acts. Any unlawful act will be met with the force that it deserves and the laws of the land will be applied as appropriate. Nobody or organization is bigger than this country.

Thank you for your attention. May God bless our homeland Ghana.