‘Agbadza and Batakari’ Promotions (2)

continued from last edition

The Armed Forces are no longer operating professionally with high senses of camaraderie and/or esprit de corps. It is now a question of show of power and arrogant victimization of opponents. It is very sad that the Voltarians and the Northerners with NDC hearts and minds are outsmarting, cheating, bullying, humiliating and victimizing very brilliant, promising, young and enterprising officers (Akans and Non-Akans) suspected to be politically incorrect.

One may ask the following questions:

1. What has Lieutenant Colonel JA Aphour done to undergo such a humiliating treatment?

2. Is it not a similar treatment given to Lieutenant Colonel Adjaye-Gaisie that is being given to Lieutenant Colonel J.A. Aphour? Was it not because he was the Commanding Officer of the 6Bn in Tamale at the time of the 2008 elections (just as Lieutenant Colonel Adjaye-Gaisie was the Commanding Officer of 1Bn) that he has been given humiliating and unfair treatment since January 2009?

3. Is Lieutenant Colonel JA Aphour not far ahead of the Komlagas, Dawohosos, Ntems, Dzandu-Hedidors and Mustaphas?

4. What is the crime of Lieutenant Colonel Agyemang-Prempeh? Why is he so much hated by Colonel Akou-Adjei?  Is it true that Colonel Akou-Adjei (the Army Secretary) has sworn never to recommend Lieutenant Colonels Agyemang-Prempeh, Amissah and Oddoye for promotion to the rank of Colonel? 

5. If it is not true (based on comments made by the ethnocentric Akou-Adjei) then why were the three officers denied promotion while all their mates have been promoted Colonels.

6. What about Lieutenant Colonel BB Owusu? Why was he not promoted Colonel?

Colonel Akou-Adjei has positioned himself very strategically just as Colonel Senchim did under Generals Odotei and Adinkrah and is using his position as Army Secretary to enhance the chances, opportunities and careers of his Voltarian and Northern partners while destroying Akans and Non-Akans perceived or suspected to be NPP sympathizers because of positions they occupied during the Kufuor Administration.

Colonel Akou-Adjei has found a willing partner at the General Headquarters as the Military Secretary. With Commodore M. Beick-Baffour, also a Voltarian from the same area as Akou-Adjei, Colonel Akou-Adjei is now a ‘tin god’ in the Ghana Army and is the one defining and directing the destinies of Army officers. Commodore M. Beick-Baffour pretends to be helpful and sympathetic and yet behaves as a snake under grass pursuing the policies and programmes of Brigadier General M. Seidu Adams (the DMNAA in Washington) who controls the Armed Forces from outside. 

Because Commodore Beick-Baffour was a deputy to General Seidu Adams and was briefed to continue the strategic plan of the current administration, he is leaving no stone unturned in pursuing the wicked agenda 2012 and 2016 as prepared by General Seidu Adams and approved by the hypocrite.

The current administration is preparing for war and is positioning its trusted officers and men in key positions. 

Patriotic, nationalistic and peaceful Ghanaians must take note of these developments to stop them now or have to regret later.

It is evident at the General Headquarters and Service Headquarters that the current administration has a war plan with the Military High Command helping the inefficient, incompetent, corrupt and bankrupt regime of our current Commander-In-Chief to stay in power against the wishes of the people.

All key appointments in the Ghana Armed Forces are in the hands of Voltarians and Northerners of wicked intentions. Analysis of the key appointments in subsequent publications will throw more light on the war plan of the current administration.

The current number of undeserving Brigadier Generals and Colonels is untenable. A lot of these officers do not deserve these enviable ranks. The ranks have become so cheap that thieves, criminals, dishonest and morally bankrupt persons are wearing them while very competent and professionally well-developed officers are being denied their fair share of the promotions.

Not even the British Armed Forces can boast of several Brigadier Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels based on the thin strength of the officer Corps and men of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Promotions have been given to officers as political rewards and not on sound judgment and professional competence. For instance, how many Brigades (based on the British strength of a Brigade (i.e. NATO strength) can the Ghana Army boast of?

When the two existing commands (Southern and Northern) were in place, they did not have the requisite strength (personnel) and Unit Equipment Tables (UETs). The two former Commands did not measure up to full Brigades by NATO standard, and yet they have been divided into three Commands just to flatter and appease the men in uniform. Is it not a mockery of the military profession?

What is happening in the Ghana Airforce? 

What does somebody want at all? Why should full blooded Ghanaians be treated this way?

What has been the crime of Air Commodore EO Obeng?

Why should health challenges be used as a crime against an individual? There is this saying that when you want steal or cheat, it is better to cheat death but not anything else and have we forgotten that both green and brown leaves fall? 

You were there when Lieutenant General P.A Blay visited Lebanon every six months and intermittently for medical check-ups after collapsing during a tour of the UNIFIL Area of Operation? Was General Blay not allowed to complete his tour of duty?

Is Brigadier General Adokpa not going in and out of the 37 Military Hospital owing to medical challenges? Yet, is Brigadier General Adokpa not occupying two Departments at the General Headquarters (i.e. DG DID and Director Resettlement) with the blessing of the Military High Command?

Was Colonel R. Nyaka not having serious medical challenges and yet got appointed Director Army Training and Director General Joint Operations at the General Headquarters?

Is Colonel RJK Komlaga not facing medical challenges and yet in your recent promotions and appointments he has been elevated to the status of Deputy Director General at the Department of Defence Intelligence?

Air Commodore EO Obeng, kindly ask yourself that where are the Smiths, Odoteis?  It is not a crime to be honest, God-fearing, humble and faithful to one’s wife so you should expect this demotion.

Is it a crime in the Ghana Airforce not to be a Northerner or Voltarian? 

As for the Kadiris (NR), Evans (VR), Nagais (Krobo), Wayoes, Dzokotos and Nyadoduis, don’t be shocked if same happens to you and to Evans in particular, if you think you can become Airforce Commander because of the war college nonsense which Nagai is yet to undertake and I doubt he will, forget your ambition. 

Nagai, you have smartly cleared the Narteys, Krakues and now is the turn of the Obengs abi? My principle of both green and brown leaves falling is a big lesson. As then Colonel I.K. Acheampong used the popular twi song – “ Towoboase o nafidiewurabeba, neaobe bowo maa ye a wo se obiara ntumiwo …” to overthrow Prime Minister Dr. K. A. Busia, so also will a day come when your godfathers won’t be there. Even Colonel Gadaffi is no more and President Hosni Mubarak is also languishing in close arrest.

Well, why has the Military High Command been selective in dealing with the issue of the Nurses (Female Nursing Officers) in the Ghana Armed Forces?

How come that only two of the Nursing officers (One a Voltarian and the other a Northerner) were promoted Colonel while several others (Gas and Akans) have been retired or are being retired?

Why could the Military High Command not treat the case of the Nursing Officers on Departmental basis as they did for the military Medical Officers so that they could also be promoted Colonels?

Is it not funny to promote Colonels Tamakloe (VR) and Amantana (UER) as Deputy Matrons (Admin Nursing) and (Clinical Nursing) respectively?

Was the same thing not done for Colonel CK Agbeka at the Obs. and Gynae Department in the early days of the NDC as a reward?

Hmm, the evil that men do lives after them . . . . . .

‘Agbadza and Batakari’ Promotions In Our Community

Unprecedented gargantuan ‘Kokofu promotions’ wearing ‘agbadza’ and ‘batakari’ have been made by the Mahama/Arthur administration. The Military Secretary’s publication signed on 29th August, 2014 with reference GHQ/18023/MS is a further manifestation of the ‘kokofu spirit’, ‘divide and rule’ and malicious victimization of ‘perceived enemies’.

While undeserving persons with low moral character and dubious integrity have been rewarded, others who are very efficient, diligent, knowledgeable, morally upright but not bootlickers have been humiliated and denied promotion. 

For the records, the following officers have been promoted to their next higher ranks by the MS publication signed by Commodore M. Beick-Baffour on Friday 29th August, 2014.

ARMY

BRIGADIER GENERALS

1.         Colonel M. Alhassan (GH/2204) (NR)                       -           Brigadier General

2.         Colonel R.K. Ametepi (GH/2284) (VR)                    -           Brigadier General

3.         Colonel F. Vib-Sanziri (GH/2184) (UWR)                 -           Brigadier General

4.         Colonel M.K. Akpatsu (Jnr) (GH/2038) (ER-Krobo) -          Brigadier General

5.         Colonel S.B. Alloh (GH/2024) (VR)                          -           Brigadier General

6.         Colonel F. Buliga (GH/2030) (UER)                          -           Brigadier General

COLONELS

1. Lt. Col I.L. Tamakloe (GH/2015)                           -           Colonel   (VR)

2. Lt. Col M.A. Tenkorang (GH/2207)                       -           Colonel   (ER)

3. Lt. Col G. Amantana (GH/2060)                            -           Colonel   (NR)

4. Lt. Col R.J.K Komlaga (GH/2497)                                  -             Colonel   (VR)

5. Lt. Col A.K. Dawohoso (GH/2545)                       -           Colonel   (VR)

6. Lt. Col J Hagan (GH/2548)                                                -           Colonel   (CR)

7. Lt. Col M. Mustapha (GH/2426)    (Fulani)            -           Colonel   (NR)

8. Lt. Col A. Ntem (GH/2434) (Mafia Member)        -           Colonel   (VR)

9. Lt. Col T. Ampofo-Gyekye (GH/2436)                  -           Colonel   (ER)

10. Lt. Col JK Baa-Tsiquaye (GH/2541)                    -           Colonel   (GAR)

11. Lt. Col W. Dzandu-Hedidor (GH/2435)              -           Colonel   (VR)

LIEUTENANT COLONELS

1. Major M. Salifu (GH/2800)                                    -           Lt. Col    (NR)

2. Major G.I. Sulleman (GH/2858)                             -           Lt. Col    (NR)

3. Major R.K. Adzagba (GH/2853)                            -           Lt. Col    (VR)

4. Major E.L.S. Gyadu (GH/2813)                             -           Lt. Col    (VR)

5. Major E. Annor (GH/2714)                                              -             Lt. Col    (AR)

6. Major S.G. Odei (GH/2912)                                   -           Lt. Col    (ER)

7. Major R. Narh (GH/2914)                                       -         Lt. Col    (ER) (Krobo)

8. Major BB Pantoah (GH/2915)                                -           Lt. Col    (NR)

9. Major M. Wumbei (GH/2916)                                -           Lt. Col    (NR)

10. Major I.B. Mohammed (GH/2917)                       -           Lt. Col    (NR)

11. Major E.N. Mensah-Yawson (GH/2822)              -           Lt. Col    (NR / CR)

12. Major F.C. Adzasu (GH/2835)                             -           Lt. Col    (VR)

13. Major J.K. Kumado (GH/2837)                            -           Lt. Col    (VR)

14. Major A.K. Oduah (GH/2839)                             -           Lt. Col    (VR)

15. Major H.K. Badasu (GH/2840)                            -           Lt. Col    (VR)

16. Major G.K. Wilson (GH/2841)                             -           Lt. Col    (CR)

17. Major N.C.D. Dei-Alorse (GH/2869)                   -           Lt. Col    (VR)

NAVY

NAVAL CAPTAINS (COLONELS EQUIVALENT)

1.  Commander M. Arhen (GH/2742)            -   BAR            -         Captain (GN)

2.  Commander E. Wayoe (GH/2663)            - ER (Krobo)     -        Captain (GN)

3.  Commander W. Tay (GH/2664)                -    GAR            -         Captain (GN)

COMMANDERS (LT COL EQUIVALENT)

1. Lt. Cdr R. Kyaano (GH/2958)                   - GAR             -           Cdr

2. Lt. Cdr R. Bagoniah (GH/2960)                 - UER              -           Cdr

3. Lt. Cdr S.B. Nyam (GH/2872)                   - WR               -           Cdr

4. Lt. Cdr J.A. Agambire (GH/2873)             - NR                -           Cdr

AIRFORCE

GROUP CAPTAINS (COLONELS EQUIVALENT)

1. Wg Cdr R.Y. Cole (GH/ 2597)                  - GAR             -           Gp Capt.

WING COMMANDERS (LT COLONELS EQUIVALENT)

1.  Sqn Ldr S.A. Jiagge (GH/2863)                - VR                -           Wg Cdr

2. Sgn Ldr K.K.M. Atiemo (GH/2962)          - ER                 -           Wg Cdr

In addition to the promotions, there were very strategic and tactical appointments in the Military Secretary’s publication of 29th August, 2014. The Army of Ghana has been restructured without any extra funding or provision of resources and personnel. The two existing Commands (Northern and Southern) of the Ghana Army have now been divided into three Commands namely Northern, Central and Southern Commands with the same number of units and sub-units.

Another Formation – a Training Brigade –has been added to the Army just as was done for the Airforce and Navy to create “JOBS AND PROMOTIONS FOR THE BOYS”.

While it was found prudent to create more space for promoting officers from the Volta Region and three Northern Regions, officers from the Akan areas (Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern and Western) suspected to be non-active NDC members occupying appointments and positions meriting promotions were maliciously denied their due.

For instance, the Army Training Brigade was created so that Colonel SB Alloh, returning from Operations in Liberia, could be promoted to Brigadier General. Similarly, a third Army Command (the Central Command) was created in order to create a vacuum for Colonel F. Buliga to be promoted Brigadier General.

While the authorities did not have any regret in playing the chess game of rewarding the ‘agbadza and batakari’ cloths they shamefully denied very upright, professionally very competent and intellectually very sound officers of Akan extraction purely because they find them politically incorrect because these officers have been acting very professionally and diligently without engaging in bootlicking and ‘eyes service’ (military jargon).

A Tale of Two Contradictory Gospels

The true gospel empties the churches; while the false gospel fills them.

Most Christians are unaware that the gospel Jesus preached is contradicted by Paul. The gospel of Jesus is bittersweet; presenting great challenges to believers. Paul’s gospel is “sugar and spice and all things nice;” offering few challenges.

Of course, the preferred gospel is the one Paul preached. It is the commercial gospel, tailor-made for lovers of life. It is enamoured by those who desire salvation but are not inclined to meet its costs. But don’t buy the lie. Paul’s gospel cannot save. Jesus is our Lord and Saviour.

Gospel imperatives

At the centre of Jesus’ gospel is the need for sinners to repent. Jesus says: “‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13). But Paul disagrees. He says: “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29). Furthermore, he bases his gospel on sacrifice. Hear him: “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The gospel of the kingdom requires that we yearn for the righteousness of God. Jesus says: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6). However, righteousness is not a prerequisite in Paul’s gospel. Instead, he reassures sinners nonsensically that God justifies the ungodly: “To the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5).

In Jesus’ gospel, the righteous are rewarded with eternal life. (Matthew 25:46). Jesus says: “The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43). However, in Paul’s gospel: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10). Therefore, Paul says: “(Righteousness) shall be imputed to us who believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:24).

The gospel of a kingdom not of this world is bad news to the rich of this world. Jesus says: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24). But Paul’s gospel of grace is about our becoming rich in this world: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Faith with works

Jesus’ gospel requires us to become God’s children by doing God’s works. Jesus says: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45). “Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:29).

However, Paul’s gospel is about faith without works. He says: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In Jesus’ gospel, we determine our salvation. His cardinal kingdom principle makes salvation entirely our responsibility. Jesus warns: “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25). He says elsewhere: “With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Mark 4:24).

But in Paul’s gospel, salvation is God’s responsibility; we are predestined to salvation. Paul’s says: “Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son… And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified.” (Romans 8:29-30). This clearly contradicts Jesus position that: “Many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14).

With Jesus, we carry our crosses ourselves. Jesus says: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34). However, with Paul, Jesus allegedly carried our crosses for us in that we were crucified with him. Paul says: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).

Cost of salvation

With Jesus, forgiveness comes as we readily forgive all our offenders. Jesus says: “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15). But with Paul, forgiveness comes without preconditions; it is the grace of God: “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins.” (Colossians 2:13).

With Jesus, freedom from sin comes as we follow his word. Jesus says: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32). But with Paul, Christians are automatically free from sin because we died with Christ: “Our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7).

Paul says: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). But according to Jesus, eternal life is not God’s gift at all; it comes at great cost. Jesus says: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29).

Therefore, Jesus warns us to count the cost before deciding to follow him: “No one can become my disciple unless he first sits down and counts his blessings- and then renounces them all for me.” (Luke 14:33).

Everlasting gospel

Some maintain Paul’s gospel of grace is a post-resurrection dispensational replacement for Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom. However, Jesus confirms no such replacement. Instead he says: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus does not introduce Paul’s doctrine of blood-atonement on his resurrection. His directive remains that “repentance and forgiveness of sins” should be preached in his name.” (Luke 24:47).

In Acts, Peter does not associate Jesus’ death with the atonement of sins. (Acts 2:37-43). He says the righteousness of God comes by works. (Acts 10:34-35). But Paul says Christians automatically become new creatures: “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In effect, Paul’s gospel is false. It merely tests those who would embrace Jesus’ gospel. Jesus’ gospel offers a narrow gate and a difficult way that leads to life; while Paul’s gospel offers a wide gate and a broad way that leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14). Accordingly, the true gospel empties the churches; while the false gospel fills them.

Christians must reject Paul’s enticing gospel. John warns: “Whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him.” (2 John 1:9-10)


Source: Femi Aribisala.

Femi Aribisala.

Femi Aribisala.