Nkabom Promotions (3)

We wish to resume our discussions on the “Nkabom Appointments and Promotions” in the security services and in particular the Ghana Armed Forces now that the burial and final funeral rites of our beloved late Major MA Mahama have been performed. May his soul rest in perfect peace!!

Appointments and promotions that have been made and/or confirmed in the various security services since His Excellency Nana Addo took over the presidency of our dear country and as the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces have been arrived at promoting unity, stability, national cohesion and reconciliation.

The appointments and promotions in the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Services, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Revenue Authority (especially the Customs and Preventive Division), Secretariat of the National Security have thus been carefully made to reflect our national aspirations based on merit, competence, experience, abilities and skills devoid of political considerations unlike what our community experienced in early the 2009 when the NDC, under Professor John Mills took over the reigns of power from the NPP.

The NDC government of Mills-Mahama behaved as if there had been a coup d’état. Most of the top hierarchies and even middle echelons were given “revolutionary changes” based purely on politics and ethnicity. The new “power brokers” used the political mandate to score needless political points and to settle political and ethnic scores.

Thankfully the “I believe in Ghana” President, Nana Addo does not want to repeat those “mistakes”. The President is a father for all Ghanaians. Consequently, the President wishes every Ghanaian well and is prepared to allow professionals and public servants to progress in their chosen professions and careers based on merit, competence, abilities and skills. That explains why only one major shake-up took place in the Ghana Police Service-the retirement of the former IGP, John Kudalour. In the Ghana Armed Forces only the Chief of Defence of Staff and the Chief of Staff were replaced while there were a few “shifts” to accommodate the two major changes.

The Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ghana Revenue Authority have had only the top echelons changed while the other senior officers remain at post.

The Ghana National Fire Service has seen no change yet even though there is overwhelming evidence that the Chief Fire Officer is facing very serious health challenges and may do well to “step aside” on health grounds for effective administration of the service.

The modest changes at the top without any serious changes at the next levels of commands and control of our security services should ordinarily be good news to all and sundry. Unfortunately, however, the known NDC activists occupying those top positions and appointments have become “serious security risks” to the NPP government. These dyed in wool NDC “officers and men” are using their positions to victimize known NPP sympathizers in the security services.

Some of these “hypocrites” are pretending to be loyal to the state and the NPP government and yet are serious enemies leaking secrets and confidential information to the NDC executives, members of parliament, former ministers and the former presidency. In effect these pretenders are sabotaging the NPP administration of Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia.

The real NPP loyalists and patriotic officers and men in the various security services have been marginalized, are being threatened and intimidated with impunity while known NDC loyalists and “enemies of NPP” have been given field day by the Kan Dapaahs, Ambrose Derys, Nitiwuls and General Okyeres.

These political heads are not estimating the political costs of the “Nkabom appointments and promotions” in the security services. Most of the NPP loyalists have either given up or are in the process of giving up in an incremental manner. Most of the NPP loyalists are advising themselves and are playing strictly according to the professional rules in order not to incur the wrath of these dangerous NDC pretenders of opportunism.

All the “juicy appointments” have remained in the hands of the NDC loyalists. Danger is looming and those in charge of security better watch it! The year 2020 is just around the corner.

If one listens to the cry of the NDC wanting to recapture political power in 2020 then one becomes alarmed. With the looted money, the NDC has the resources to stage a successful comeback if the NPP falters.

The quest for reorganization in the NDC is a serious one. They are blackmailing the NPP about “removals, dismissals and change of positions and appointments”. They are crying wolf when there is none. Does former President Mahama have the moral right to complain about changes in the public sector?

Indeed he has forgotten what he did during the eight-year rule of the NDC. We need to tell him emphatically that his government was the worst in terms of everything in the annals of Ghana. He led and was deeply involved in the “create, loot and share” philosophy of the NDC administration of 2009 to 2017. He used vindictive, wicked, divide and rule tactics all over the public sector. All his appointments were based on political and ethnocentric agenda. 

He would be advised to cough wisely lest he would burn his fingers, that of his brothers, wife, close associates and cohorts.

The NPP administration is prudently being advised to take a second look at the “Nkabom policy”. It could lead to the destruction of the NPP in 2020. Those NDC beneficiaries would never change their evil deeds. They would never vote for the NPP. They would forever sabotage the NPP. By their actions, utterances and omissions, they would create a favourable environment for the NDC to recapture power in 2020.

The “die-hard” NPP foot-soldiers, sympathizers and members are beginning to lose faith and hope in the NPP because they are not receiving any favours but rather are at the receiving end of the NDC.

It is becoming a general nightmare for NPP members and sympathizers as the NDC women control the school feeding programme, zoomlion cleaning jobs, the toll booth collections and several “political appointment”.

The painful aspects of all these is the fact that the “NDC Controllers” of these positions and appointments are laughing at their NPP colleagues, teasing the latter that while they control political power they (the NDC) control the lives of Ghanaians in the public sector, businesses and contracts. These are worrying facts and developments in our nation building.

If the situation persists and continues into 2018 and beyond, then “disaster” would strike at the NPP in both local and national elections. The earlier the “Security Experts” and political analysts took this warning serious the better. 

Is it not astonishing and annoying that all the Chief Directors and Directors at the Ministries, Departments and Agencies appointed by the NDC administration are still at post? Could that have happened under the NDC administration? What did we see in 2009? Were all the Chief Directors, Directors and Coordinating Directors not removed or changed in 2009?  What is the NPP waiting for? 

How can the Chief Directors of the Ministries of Finance, Defence and Foreign Affairs, in particular, be kept at their respective positions? Any wonder that the Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance is sabotaging all efforts of the Minister of Finance? Why is money not flowing? Why are confidential Documents of the Ministry of Finance not being leaked? They would continue to be leaked as long as the Chief Director remains. He is against the NPP and is pretending to be in line. He is not.

The same can be said about the Ministry of Defence. How can a Chief Director appointed by the Mahama administration in November 2016 to be in charge of the Ministry of Defence be retained? 

Any wonder that things are not working well at the Ministry of Defence. Money is not flowing to the Ghana Armed Forces. The Ghana Armed Forces do not have money for basic training, administration and operations. Recruits cannot report for training because there is no money. Training excises cannot take place because there is no money. Fuel and Food shortages have hit the Ghana Armed Forces. 

The Chief Directors of the Ministries of Finance and Defence are sabotaging the NPP government. The “artificial shortages” in the Ghana Armed Forces are creating “disaffection” in the military.

Some Generals and Colonels are sarcastically telling the troops that “You said you want change, you have it, but look at what is happening. The system is not functioning…”

These are realities in the barracks and the NDC is capitalizing on the shortages to turn the soldiers against the government. Mr. Minister of Defence, please “shine your eyes”. 

Is it not ironical that some Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant  Colonels have “looted” the resources of the Ghana Armed Forces and have now turned round to blame the NPP government? 

We asked for various probes into the activities of some specific Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels but the Minister of Defence, the National Security Minister and the National Security Adviser “wished them away” but rather chose to complain at the Media Commission about reports that are mostly factual (according to the military team that appeared at the Media Commission).

Some officers who are alleged to be involved in malfeasance, inappropriate actions and various acts of corruption have either been maintained or shifted to more or equally lucrative appointments.

Some of the officers occupying positions that are worrying include the Director General, Defence Intelligence, the Deputy Director General Defence Intelligence and Directors of various cells of the Defence Intelligence Department.

These developments are worrying because the Director General and Deputy Director General Defence Intelligence have the right to attend meetings of the National Security Council. 

Unfortunately, the current Director General Brigadier General PN Andoh (GH/2221) and Deputy Director General, Colonel RJK Komlaga (GH/2497) are all dyed in wool NDC members.

During the 2008 elections, then Lieutenant Colonel PN Andoh was the Commanding Officer of the Jungle Warfare School at Achiase. The officers and men then under his command bear testimony that he facilitated “NDC rigging” or victory in several polling stations in his Area of Operations. Instead of assisting the civil authorities to maintain law and order, he facilitated the indiscipline of the NDC executives to intimidate NPP Supporters. He worked against the interest of the NPP administration.

Today, thanks to General Okyere, Brigadier General (an NDC member/sympathizer) is the Director General Department of Defence Intelligence attending meetings of the National Security Council. 

What a tragedy!!! 

Again, Colonel RJK Komlaga, of all officers, has been maintained as the Deputy Director General, Defence Intelligence!!! 

How can this happen? Colonel RJK Komlaga has at all material times, since his Commission as an officer, been an ardent member of the NDC. 

For several years as a Subaltern, Colonel Komlaga was at the 64 infantry, Regiment, especially during the NDC 1 of Jerry Rawlings and NDC 2 of Mills/Mahama. He is too politically and ethnocentrically biased in favour of the NDC that, we hasten to add that he must be removed from the Department of Defence Intelligence immediately as a matter of urgency. 

Any minute, hour, day, week, month that he stays at the Department of Defence Intelligence is a big risk and disaster for the NPP administration. 

The situation is the same for Colonel M Mustapha (GHt/2426). Owing to “Engineer Corps solidarity”, General Okyere wants this officer to remain at the Defence Intelligence. This is incongruous with Colonel Mustapha’s avowed attachment to and links with the NDC. Colonel M Mustapha is a darling boy of Lieutenant General JH Smith (the former Army Commander and Minister of Defence who is also a member of the Engineer Corps). He must quit the department!!!

A complete overhaul is required at the Department of Defence Intelligence in order to improve upon the security situation in the Ghana Armed Forces and in the country as a whole.

The current crop of offices and men at the Department of Defence Intelligence leaves much to be desired. Any further delay in dealing with the “crises” at the Department of Defence Intelligence will spell doom for the NPP administration of Nana Addo.

What about the position of the Military Secretary? Brigadier General CK Gyasensir is occupying that position against good advice owing again to Engineer Corps solidarity and Nyebro (Ewe) hegemony directed and greased by Rear Admiral Moses Beick– Baffour. 

The pair of Rear Admiral Beick– Baffour and Brigadier General CK Gyasensir as the Chief of Staff and Ministry Secretary is very dangerous. That symbiotic association needs to be broken. The Agenda 2020 of the NDC would be facilitated and enhanced by the duo. 

The Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Commanders may do well to break that jinx or they may be part of the conspiracy. 

Where is Brigadier General CK Gyasensir, at the moment? 

We are informed that for over a month now he is comfortably relaxing in the United States of America on course and leave. Ei Animal Farm. Four legs Good, Two legs Bad. It is indeed their turn.

Nothing has changed for the NDC loyalists. It is business and enjoyment as usual. 

What we are hearing? The Honourable Minister of Defence is working for Major General SK Adeti to be made an Ambassador on secondment? Are we serious? 

What about Colonel SK Adorkor (GH/2325)? Mr. Minister, we are informed that you are doing everything to get him promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by September 2017.  Please, Mr. Minister, do not do it. It will be against public policy.

With 8^th November 1950 as his birth date, Colonel SK Adorkor is due for retirement on 8^th November 2017 if he is not promoted Brigadier General. He would be given a special dispensation to stay in the service up to 8^th November 2020 if is promoted Brigadier General.

Already, we are told that he has been allowed to extend his service by one year that is to 8^th November 2018, by which time he would surely be promoted to the enviable General rank. This would be a big blow to the fight against corruption. The officer was unable to render accounts of the 2016 General Recruitment and 2017 General Enlistment Exercises. 

Monies collected from Forces Pay Regiment were not properly accounted for. Nor were the proceeds realized from the sale of the “Snap Scratch Cards” for enlistment and recruitment properly accounted for. Yet, the Minister of Defence, the Military High Command, the Armed Forces Council and the Presidency are to promote him to the enviable rank of Brigadier General.

No, that is not helpful and would send wrong signals in the system.

Ei, Mr. Minister of Defence, is it true that you rewarding your “in-laws” because of your “Nye sister” wife? Suddenly, all the “Nye bros and sisters” have become extra powerful in the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces, because the wife of the Minister of Defence is a “Nye sister”.

The other day, it was alleged that the probe into the Armed Forces Bank (the Services Integrity and Savings and Loans Limited) has been halted because Brigadier General AK Adokpa and the Mafia have managed to visit the Minister of Defence at this residence through the wife.

That may be very serious. Officers, Men and Civilian Employees of the Ghana Armed Forces want justice and fair-play in the whole Armed Forces Bank saga. You may wish it away today but it will resurrect one day. Do not forget that any malpractices during the Pre-Incorporation of Companies may be investigated and action taken without time bar.

Thus, the Mafia may run for a while but they cannot hide forever. We will continue to revisit the issue of the Bank intermittently. 

For instance, we are interested in knowing the Capital Structure of the bank, the membership of the Board, the Human Resource Base (the structure/organization, the positions and the personnel manning those positions). We may also be interested in the emoluments of the officers by the Company and Board members.

Sufficient unto the day. The risk elements in the security services should be removed or minimized to barest levels.