The Alliance for
Safeguarding the Integrity of the Security Services (ASISS), a civil society organization
issues this press statement to vehemently protest against indiscriminate sale
of the Ghana Armed forces properties going on around the country which has the
potential to inhibit future development and expansion of the service
In any society or
organization, prudent efforts and steps towards development for the benefit of
all are highly commendable. In such an environment, proactive measures such as
re-strategizing, converting non-performing assets into viable ones, etc are
taken for both short and long term development.
The other side of
the coin, which must be condemned in no uncertain terms, is when the greed and
personal interest of a few people lead to wanton and indiscriminate dissipation
of an organizations properties at the expense of organizational growth and
development.
Fellow
Countrymen and women, unfortunately, the latter scenario is exactly the canker
that is rearing its ugly head in our cherished Armed Forces.
We have convincing evidence that Ghana Armed Forces properties, including
places of historic importance are being sold to private developers. We
therefore issue this press statement to use your platform to appeal to the
Armed Forces hierarchy to take immediate steps to halt this trend in order to
protect and preserve the forces heritage for future generations.
It would be
recalled that in the year 2008, in the wake of wild rumours about plans to sell
off the NOI Roman Ridge residence of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Brigadier
General Nunoo Mensah and his cohorts used this rumour to whip up sentiments
within the Armed Forces against the then government. Ironically, it is now
under the very nose of General Nunoo Mensah who advises the President on
national security issues not excluding preserving of national assets that the
same property is being sold out. We want to know from the respected and
principled General whether he is aware of the sale and what he has done about
it.
It is worrying that some of the properties allegedly being sold out are
vital to the growth and advancement of the services. For the purpose of this Press
statement, we wish to mention but a few of those assets.
NO I ROMAN RIDGE RESIDENCE
This is the
official residence of the CDS of the Ghana Armed Forces situated off the road
opposite Accra Girls Senior High School. We are aware of plans having been far
advanced to sell this huge property under very suspicious arrangements.
ARMY OFFICERS MESS
Information gathered indicates that it is being sold to a private developer
to establish a shopping mall, hotel and private hospital.
This mess, which
also serves as a living accommodation for a number of officers, is a rich
museum and a rallying point for all Army Officers (both serving and retired).
It contains a greater part of Ghana’s Military history, and serves as the epitome
of the soul of the Ghana Army. One recalls with nostalgia, the days as young
officers, when you would go to the Army mess and learn from the senior ones as
they recreate scenes of their gallantry in Congo, Burma, Rangoon etc. If it is
a matter of expansion, couldn’t the Armed Forces have used the undeveloped land
to expand on the military hospital? What is the point in co-locating private
hospital with the 37 Military Hospital? Where would the future expansion of the
military hospital go to? Is the intention to make the 37 Military Hospital
irrelevant? We demand an immediate explanation from the military hierarchy the
motive behind the sale of the army mess land.
Another question is whether the site, which is just opposite the 37
Military Hospital is suitable for the establishment of a shopping mall
considering the movement of vehicles, especially ambulances in and out of the
hospital. Have we forgotten the inconveniences that the Tetteh Quashie
Roundabout Shopping Mall caused to vehicular movement at the area?
Where will the
officers at the mess be moved to?
1 DRAKE AVENUE
The Ghana Armed
Forces large stretch of land at Drake Avenue, Airport Residential Area in Accra
which housed a former CDS is also reported to have been sold out to a private
developer. The developer is to use 10 acres out of the 20 acres of the said
land to build 20 unit accommodation for the Armed Forces whiles he uses the
remaining 10 acres for his own development. Now the questions are:
a.
Who approved of this bad deal?
b.
Was value for money (VFM) analysis and audit done on
this deal?
c.
Was this huge strategic property given out to a crony?
LABADI VILLA’S LAND
A portion of service land along the road near Labadi Villa’s junction on
the 37 Military Hospital – T-Junction road has already been sold and a Goil
Fuel Filling Station has just sprung up there. Indeed, the whole stretch off
land on the Giffard road from Congo Junction to Labadi Villa’s Junction has
fallen victim to this indiscriminate sale of the Ghana Armed Forces properties.
This is yet
another graphic indication of the reckless actions for parochial interests of a
few within the system.
TESHIE CAMP
Some portions of
land at Teshie Camp off the T-Junction – Teshie road have also been sold out.
Development is currently taking place on those lands.
A number of
service lands around Accra are reported to have been given out for the
establishment of private fuel filling stations. It is however alleged that money
for these lands cannot be traced. At least money accrued could have been
channeled to renovating troops accommodation.
OTHER
GARRISONS
Reliable information reaching ASISS
indicates that the selling spree is not only in Accra but it is going on around
other garrisons across the country. The proportional growth of the Armed Forces
to population growth and national development calls for the preservation of
service lands for future expansions. When all lands are sold out, then some of our
future officers and men will be required to live in individual homes.
Esprit de corps , which is the
foundation stone of any security service would then wane . it is a fact that living
together , training together, attending both formal and informal functions and
knowing each other’s family are the pillars of Esprit de corps.
- What are the basis of selling these properties?
- Who approved the sales?
- How much was each property sold for?
- What are the terms of agreement for the payments?
- Who are the private developers involved in the purchases?
- Who are the beneficiaries?
- Who are the human faces behind these dissipations?
We demand
immediate answers to these crucial questions from the Ghana Armed Forces
hierarchy. These properties belong to the nation, and citizens have the right
to know all circumstances surrounding their sale. If no satisfactory and
reasonable reasons are given, we shall use all means at our disposal to stop
private developments taking place on those properties.
We want to use this platform to advise all developers involved to take
the necessary steps to recover their monies and stay away from these precious
service properties because we are ready to sacrifice our lives to protect our
heritage, of course, these are a heritage worth dying for.
We also caution all elements in the Ghana Armed Forces involved in depriving
the GAF of its properties that the day of reckoning is not too far away. The principle of natural
justice would catch up with them and they will atone for their actions and
inactions.
Finally, we call on
all officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, both serving and retired, the
General Sams , Akafias, Obengs , Danquahs and
the FSMs (Coles) to join the crusade
to protect our heritage bequeathed to us by our gallant men and women who laid
down their lives for the Ghana Armed Forces and the nation as a whole.
Thank you. May God Bless you all.
LT COL A SEREBOUR (RTD)
WG CDR BA ASAMOAH (RTD)
MAJOR N MENSAH (RTD)
