UNIPASS Edges Out GCNet, West Blue Consulting

As we went to press, information reaching us indicate that the Ministry of Trade and Industry has sealed a 10-year sole sourced deal with Ghana Link Network Services Ltd to embark on a single window trade facilitation project at the country’s ports.

The deal comes at a time when two existing companies, consisting of GCNet and West Blue have an existing deal with government to deliver similar products in ensuring that the nation does not lose revenue at the ports.

It is also surprising when they are already concerns over duplication among the two pioneer companies, GCNet and West Blue.

Tight lipped MOTI sources indicated that the oncoming company is billed to begin rolling out its programmes, when little or no consultations with stakeholders have been held.

Additionally, DAYBREAK learnt, there was no competitive bidding in the hurriedly-contrived deal.

Recently, the media reported that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has given indication the double window platform at the ports will continue to exist until such a time that operators become absolutely conversant with the single window platform being handled by West Blue Consulting.
According to the GPHA, the co-existence of the operations of the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) and West Blue Consulting at the ports is due to the slow pace of adoption of the single window platform provided by West Blue Consulting.
Speaking to Citi Business News on the issue, the Terminal Supervisor at the GPHA, Emmanuel Ashaley Neequaye argued that it may take some time for a complete takeover by West Blue Consulting.
“We have become more useful to the GCNet system, we are now trying to incorporate the West Blue system and it is a separate platform and I think people have not gotten used to that platform very well so they all rely on the GCNet platform,”
“They do but not on the larger scale like the GCNet system. I think that eventually the GCNet would fade out for West Blue to come in but people have not gotten used to it. It also has to do with the problem that is often associated with the GCNet system,” he added.
The apparent duplication of roles by West Blue and GCNet despite the collapse of all activities by the Destination Inspection Companies in 2015, has been viewed as contributing to the excessive delays at the ports.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also bemoaned the development and called for an immediate resolution.
Mr. Ashaley Neequaye also expressed worry at the persistent technical breakdowns with GCNet’s system which accumulates the workloads due to delays.
He is however confident that the seeming confusion over the existence of the two platforms should cease with an eventual phasing out of GCNet’s operations.
“Unfortunately, the problem that is currently facing us is the frequent breakdown in the network. So sometime it holds down our activities for two to four hours and that is the problem that we are facing currently with the GCNet system,” he remarked.
Mr. Neequaye who was speaking at the sidelines of of a workshop on challenges for multilateral trading system – Perspectives from West Africa further intimated,
“The problem is a technical one and with the interconnectivity, the systems go off whenever the weather gets bad. This has been there since the inception of GCNet. Sometimes when the weather gets clear, it will work normal for about two months, but when it is raining, it goes off, when it’s stormy too same challenge. At other times too you wouldn’t be able to determine what the problem is.”
In another report, Freight Forwarders in the country had blamed the duplication of works at the Tema Port on the activities of West Blue Consulting and GCNet.
According to them, there appears to be some tension between the two companies tasked to provide validation services and help in the implementation of the Single Window Project.
Appealing to the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to help address the issue, the President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) Mr. Kwabena Ofosu-Appiah stated at conference in Accra that the turf war is getting unhealthy for revenue mobilization.
“Why should two traders buying from the same source on the same conveyance be handed two contrasting outcomes, this does not build well for compliance, it forces those who want to be compliant to go out fishing,” he pointed out.
Mr. Ofosu-Appiah explained that “there are two major IT solution providers– that is West Blue and GCNet. The fact that they have two different terms of reference known under different conditions deliver a problem.
He stated that the conflict between the two companies emanate from the sector ministries that supervise them.
“The mandate of West Blue Consulting is from the Finance Ministry through GRA while that of GCNet is under Trade Ministry. The government of Ghana is the ultimate client but the truth of the matter is that there is always tension between the two anytime they must cooperate to deliver a seamless solution for the larger course,” he narrated.
Citing some examples, Mr. Ofosu-Appiah said that there have many instances where the activities of one company had been usurped and given to the other.
“A case in point was when the IBF module was plugged off from GCNet platform to the Ghana Trading Hub that is the Pre-arrival Assessment Reporting Systems (PAARS). Another classic case is the call of manifest onto PAARS platform creating anxiety within GCNet which used to have the manifest”.
“The two scenarios justify a turf war, because one can only survive if their bargaining powers are intact. But while they are at it trade facilitation as well as port efficiency suffers with its attendant cost,” he warned.
Mr. Ofosu-Appiah made the assertions in the presence of stakeholders and the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia.

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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.

Nkabom Promotions (2)

Unity, it is said, is strength. Equity based on diversity is also highly commendable. Thus, theoretically, the Nkabom Promotions of 28^th April 2017 in the Ghana Armed Forces reflect the Regional (if you like ethnic) diversity in our society and the desired esprit de corps.

However, serious concerns continue to be expressed over the Nkabom Promotions by members of the Patriotic Concerned Officers and Men (PACOM) owing to the injustices inherent in them. It may seem to be an exercise in futility by PACOM but posterity will judge and vindicate them.

The political costs of some of the recklessness in the Nkabom Promotions may be enormous and history seems to be repeating itself. Members of PACOM are quick to remind the political authorities and the Military High Command of what happened between 7^th January 2001 and 6^th January 2008 when his Excellency President John Kufuor was the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The same “father for all”, “unity in diversity”, “promoting national cohesion and development” cost the NPP and its flagbearer in the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The Military Commands of Generals SK Obeng and JB Danquah had been infiltrated by vicious NDC active and card bearing members. Caution had been thrown to the wind and therefore political opponents of the NPP had overgrown wings and taken over the decision making processes at both strategic and tactical levels.

The status quo had been maintained except the cosmetic changes of the Chief of Defence Staff and some Service and Formation Commanders, especially during the era of General SK Obeng.

For instance, the first Military Assistant of General SK Obeng was Colonel PK Senchim. Colonel PK Senchim had always been a dyed in wool NDC card bearing member and was a master strategist in “destroying” officers suspected to be NPP sympathizers.

Unfortunately for the NPP, Colonel PK Sechim was elevated to a more powerful position as the Army Secretary at the Army Headquarters after serving General SK Obeng as a Military Assistant (MA) and Assistant Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters.

After General SK Obeng had insisted on the removal of the late Brigadier General Francis Mensah-Yawson as the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces and replaced him with then Brigadier General SA Odotei, Colonel PK Senchim became the “right hand man” for both Generals SK Obeng and SA Odotei.

It therefore became a matter of course when, against all useful pieces of advice, General SA Odotei was appointed the Chief of Army Staff in May 2005 and he also appointed Colonel PK Senchim as the Army Secretary.

Colonel PK Senchim used his position as Army Secretary to create anger, disaffection, despondency and hatred in, for and amongst very professional officers who he suspected to be sympathetic to the ideals of the NPP.

Colonel PK Senchim survived the change in government and stayed at the office of the Army Secretary for almost two years when General JN Adinkra was the Chief of Army Staff. Colonel PK Senchim nurtured then Naval Captain and now Rear Admiral M Beick-Baffour in the NDC agenda. Naval Captain M Beick-Baffour was then the Deputy Military Secretary while the equally wicked but innocent looking Brigadier General S Adams was the Military Secretary.

A master strategist that he was, Colonel PK Senchim positioned then Lieutenant Colonel JK Akou-Adjei (Nyebro) as the Deputy Army Secretary during the brief period that then Colonel and now Brigadier General F Vib-Sanziri was the Army Secretary. The departure of Colonel F Vib-Sanziri on secondment to the UN, paved the way for the “Akou-Adjei –Beick Baffour partnership” that destroyed very brilliant, promising professional Akan and non Akan officers suspected to be sympathizers of the NPP.

Today, we have on our hands Rear Admiral M Beick-Baffour as the Chief of Staff and Brigadier General CK Gyasensir as the Military Secretary and the Okyeres, Kan-Dapaahs, Nitiwuls and Oduros are not seeing through the danger ahead, only time will tell!!

As for Brigadier General Okyere, the least said about him the better. He is a “real enemy” of the NPP fraternity. At beat, he is a “traitor”, a collaborator of the NDC Agenda and a grand opportunist par excellence. He thinks he is a “tin god”. He has so soon forgotten that he is a “mortal human being”. He is behaving as if he knows everything on this earth and more than any other person. He is still bullying his way in all directions, refusing to delegate, performing strategic and tactical duties and operations all over.

At almost 70 years, Brigadier General Okyere should not deceive himself into thinking that without him, the world would come to an end and the NPP government of Nana Addo would not and cannot survive. His partnership with Albert Kan Dapaah is increasingly becoming a liability for the NPP Administration.

The two “Security Capos” are not in touch with the feelings of the grassroots supporters/sympathizers of the NPP. They are living in the skies but pretending to be firm on the ground.

The question that members of PACOM, NPP door-to-door campaigners and youth (who are yearning for employment and development) are asking is that where were these two security capos during the electioneering campaign of 2016?

Did they not say that they were “elder statesmen” and could not be involved in the day to day campaign of the NPP and Nana Addo?

Did they not see and hear of Honourables Alan Kyeremangten and Afisa Otiko Djaba who crossed the breadth and length of Ghana campaigning vigorously for the NPP and Nana Addo?

Surely and certainly they did but could not be bothered. Baboons should enjoy when monkeys have worked!!!

Is it not history repeating itself? When Honourable Kan Dapaah was the Minister of Defence and Brigadier General Okyere was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command of the Ghana Army in 2008 elections, what happened?

Did the two “Security Capos” not abandon the ship in deep troubled waters?

When President John Kufuor was heading for the Tain Constituency for the run-off that became the decider of the 2008 Presidential elections, where was then Honourable Albert Kan Dapaah, MP and Minister of Defence? 

Cowards die many times before their death but the case of this gentleman is that cowards get rewards many times in a government of the NPP!!

What about Brigadier General Okyere? Did he not abandon the Commander-In-Chief and the Chief of Defence Staff during the run-off of the 2008 Presidential elections? When the NDC hooligans gathered in front of the premises of the Electoral Commission causing disturbances, threatening war and mayhem what did he do as the GOC of the Southern Command of the Ghana Army?

Did he not say to the hearing of “living NPP supporters” that “if the NPP is losing the elections, they should accept the results in good faith and pack out of the Castle?” Did he not start collaborating there and then with the NDC executives and “security capos”? Yes, he did.   

Was General Okyere not promised a higher appointment and promotion? Did General Okyere not refuse to be promoted Major General in the final promotions of the NPP in December 2008 which were published on 6^th January 2009?

Why did he decline that juicy and appropriate offer? 

A precedent of that sort had been set in 2000 by the NDC Administration of Jerry Rawlings. The two GOCs of the Army were promoted Major Generals in early 2000. For the avoidance of any doubt, Major Generals AH Anyidoho (father of Koku Anyidoho) and FY Mahama, GOC Northern and Southern Commands of the Ghana Army respectively were promoted from Brigadier General to Major General in the first quarter of 2000 before, Brigadier Generals Charles Okae, and Nii Carl Coleman and Commodores Adoko and Gbena were promoted Major Generals and Rear Admirals respectively in December 2000.

The refusal by Brigadier General Okyere to be promoted to the rank of Major General is very significant and must be noted very well (Nota Bena) by all positive thinkers, analysts and die-hard supporters of the NPP.

It is with this background information that we wish to proceed with our objective and candid comments on the “Nkabom Promotions” of 28^th April 2017.

It is a well-known fact that as an Engineer officer (Combat but not professional engineer); Brigadier General Okyere has shown open bias in favour of engineer officers in the Ghana Armed Forces. He favoured the appointment of Colonel BK Onwona as ADC to the President over others when it was apparent that he would be due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General and was also on secondment to the Armed Forces of Rwanda in a “Defence Cooperation Pact”.

Again, against all advice, Brigadier General Okyere has insisted on maintaining Brigadier General F Ofori as the Commander Support Services Brigade and has also ruled out any probe into the activities of Brigadier General F Ofori when he was the Director of Engineer Services. 

Similarly, Brigadier General CK Gyasensir is to continue as Military Secretary in spite of the “danger” that he poses with Rear Admiral M Beick-Baffour as the Chief of Staff.

The more insulting and painful “engineer” sponsorship is the return of Colonel M Mustapha (GH/2426) to the Department of Defence Intelligence.

Colonel M Mustapha should be an “unwanted officer” at GHQ (DI) under the Presidency of Nana Addo. This is an officer who has demonstrated throughout his military career that he dislikes the NPP and Nana Addo.

As a “barracks boy” and commissioned as a second Lieutenant on 17^th August 1990 into the Engineer Corps during the PNDC era of Jerry Rawlings, Colonel M Mustapha is a dyed-in-wool member of the NDC. It is not surprising that Colonel M Mustapha is 100% NDC. 

Even though he is a Ghanaian by birth, his biological father is not from Ghana but is at best an “ECOWAS citizen”. As the Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment (successor to Brigadier General F Ofori) for a very long time, he is alleged to have used his resources, energies, efforts, military knowledge and position to work in favour of the NDC party to the detriment of the NPP.

However, he is alleged to have assisted Brigadier General Okyere during his tenure of office as CO 48 Engineer Regiment just as his predecessor Brigadier General F Ofori is alleged to have done. And therefore the reward by Brigadier General Okyere! 

The question that members of PACOM are asking is this: “should Brigadier General Okyere sacrifice national interest and security for a parochial “engineer corps solidarity”? The obvious answer is No. But will the “know-all” Brigadier General Okyere listen? Never!

What about the appointment of Colonel CK Lithur as the Deputy Director General Plans, Research and Development? Colonel CK Lithur is a blood relationship of Mr. Anthony Lithur, the Lawyer of the NDC and husband of Nana Oye Lithur. This officer contributed immensely to the defeat of the NPP at the “Tain run-off” in January 2009 as the final phase of the 2008 Presidential elections.

As the Second-In-Command of the 3^rd Battalion of Infantry at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, he usurped the powers of the Commanding Officer, then Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ayisi Amoah (GH/2279). It was then Major CK Lithur who took charge of both the military and political operations in the Tain constituency. He facilitated the campaign of the NDC and denied the NPP any room to manoeuvre. He was the real master strategist who gave victory to the NDC and dealt a devastating blow to the NPP.

Today, with Brigadier General “know all” Okyere and former “Minister Extraordinaire” of Defence and now in charge of National Security, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah around, this double-crossing officer has been made the Deputy Director General Plans, Research and Development. He is certainly going to evolve plans based on real, tangible and verifiable research to help develop the NDC to wrestle power from the NPP in 2020!!

The advice to Brigadier General RA Gyane is that please be wary of this “impious officer” and monitor him closely, 24/7 and 365 days to avoid a repeat of “Tain” in 2020.

Another appointment of grave concern to members of PACOM is that of Colonel S Gagakuma (GH/2430). This officer has been appointed the Director of Supply and Transport (DST) at this critical time that the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence owe the oil companies several millions of Ghana cedis for fuel and similar huge sums of money for food supplies made to the Armed Forces.

Currently, there are serious concerns about the availability of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) and food ration in the Ghana Armed Forces. The POL and food ration crises have been due to the accumulated arrears in payments to oil companies and food contractors.

The major challenges in the Supply and Transport Directorate are corruption, stealing, pilfering and diversion of fuel and food items. This canker will have to be uprooted with vim and vigour.

But can Colonel S Gagakuma do that job effectively and efficiently? The answer may be a big NO. The reason is that his hands are tainted. He needs cleans hands which he does not have. 

As a former Commanding Officer of the Base Supply Depot (BSD) during the NDC regimes of John Mills and John Mahama, he is alleged to have compromised his integrity so much for pecuniary considerations to the eyes and ears of subordinates commissioned officers, men and civilian employees of the Base Supply Depot. His subordinates know so much about that and will expose him or blackmail him should he attempt to do any “house cleaning”. Thus, Colonel S Gagakuma lacks the moral integrity and purity required for any anti-corruption strategies.

Another allegation against Colonel S Gagakuma is the way and manner by which he got Lieutenant Colonel BB Adjibadeck retired from the Ghana Armed Forces. Lieutenant Colonel BB Adjibadeck (GH/2458) was the Commanding Officer of the Base Supply Depot and 1 Mechanical Transport Battalion at various times when Colonel S Gagakuma was lurking around. Then Lieutenant Colonel S Gagakuma managed to use his Nyebro Army and Military Secretaries to get Lieutenant Colonel BB Adjibadeck retired compulsorily on account of age. Lieutenant Colonel BB Adjibadeck was suspected to be a sympathizer of the NPP.

So with the Gbevlo-Larteys and Biekros collaborating and cooperating very well, the “Northern” connection of the poor officer could not withstand the “Tsunami might” of the Nyebros. So the poor officer was denied the opportunity of ever becoming the Director of Supply and Transport even though he was senior to the Gagakumas.

What a pity!! The wickedness of man against his neighbour indeed!!

E!, what are we seeing at Serial 36 of the Annex A to GHQ/18023/MS dated 28^th April 2017?

Lieutenant Colonel M Wumbei (GH/2916) is the new Commanding Officer of Defence MT Battalion. Have the authorities forgotten about the Three Musketeers of GAFCSC Senior Division? 

Anyways, fortunately, we have Brigadier General Abraham Yeboah Nsiah as the Chief Staff Officer at Army Headquarters. He was the member of the Directing Staff who apprehended the three officers for examination malpractices. They were initially withdrawn from the course but with pressure from Commodore GM Biekro, as Chief of Staff, the case was rendered nonsense and two of the officers were immediately sent to Nigeria’s prestigious Command and Staff College at Jaji with impunity.

Another member of the “GAFCSC Three” has also been re-posted to the Department of Inspector General’s Department (GHQ (IGD)) as the Director Outreach and Best Practice. 

Oh God what a paradox! How can an officer caught red handed involved in examination malpractices be made “a watch dog” over potential wrongdoers in the Ghana Armed Forces?

Where are the Armed Forces drifting to? Where have the standards fallen to? Is discipline still a hallmark of our Armed Forces?