Anger In The Military (2)

Furthermore, several pieces of evidence abound to support the assertion that Commodore Moses Beick-Baffour is incongruous for the position of Chief of Staff in the Ghana Armed Forces owing to the ethnocentric and politically biased promotions and appointments that he initiated, ensured and supervised when he was the Military Secretary.

With the Adetis, Adokpas, Fiawoos, Agbekas, Ametepis and Gbekles, Commodore Beick-Baffour was always eager to save his “Nyebros” by either promoting them to the higher ranks or extending their services in order to escape compulsory retirement on account of age.

For instance in March 2016, two very unusual and unprecedented promotions were made exclusively for Ewe officers in the Pay Crops. Then Colonels Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu (GH/2140) and Anthony Kwasi Dzisi (GH/2334) were hurriedly promoted Brigadier Generals on 2^nd March 2016.

With 10^th May 1959 as his date of birth, then Colonel AK Dzisi was due for retirement compulsorily on account of age on 10^th May 2016. Colonel AK Dzisi had already attended the interview of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to be honorably released from the service as he was nearing his 57^th birthday (the compulsory retiring age of Colonels and equivalents).

Fortunately for Colonel AK Dzisi, on the 4^th of January 2016, then Brigadier General SK Adeti was appointed the Chief of Staff. It was on the same 4^th January 2016 that then Air Vice Marshal M Samson-Oje, Commodore PK Faidoo and Air Commodore Nagai were also appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively.

With Brigadier General SK Adeti providing him the necessary support and assistance, Commodore Beick-Baffour was able to secure the appointment of Colonel AK Dzisi as the Defence Financial Controller with the commensurate rank of Brigadier General.

The effective date of Brigadier General AK Dzisi’s appointment was deferred and was to be determined later (DTN-Date to be Notified). Colonel CE Edjeani-Afenu who was then on diplomatic duties as the Deputy MILAD in New York was to wear her rank of Brigadier General on her return to home establishment (RHE).

At the time that these unusual ethnocentric and politically motivated appointments were made and published by Commodore Beick-Baffour as the Military Secretary, there was a sitting Defence Financial Controller in the person of Brigadier General E Abdulai (GH/1915).

Thus, as at 2^nd March 2016, the Pay Corps had three Brigadier Generals (one Northerner and two Ewes). Brigadier General AK Dzisi was therefore to wait until August 2016 when he took over from Brigadier General E Abdulai who had reached his compulsory retiring age on 10^th April 2016.

Interestingly, a similar opportunity had been given to then Colonel E Abdulai in 2013 when he was promoted Brigadier General to escape compulsory retirement on account of age at a time that Brigadier General Y Nyamekye-Yeboah (GH/1679) was the Defence Financial Controller. 

Brigadier General Nyanekye-Yeboah reached his compulsory retirement at age 60 years on 1^st January 2014 (with 1^st January 1954 as his date of birth) but also stayed on until August 2014 when Brigadier General E Abdulai, who had been seconded to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, was permitted to take over as the Defence Financial Controller.

Today, with the kind courtesy and benevolence of Commodore Beick-Baffour and Major General SK Adeti, the appointment of Defence Financial Controller has been secured for two Ewes in succession. With 10^th May 1959 as his birth date, Brigadier General AK Dzisi would be due for compulsory retirement on account of age on 10^th May 2019, barring any mis-happenings, which should happen soon.

Hopefully, Brigadier General AK Dzisi would hand over the baton to Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu whose birth date is 5^th March 1960 and would therefore reach her compulsory retiring age on 5^th March 2020. 

When Commodore Beick-Baffour has made these “futures” secured for his “Nyebros”, can he successfully exonerate himself from the ethnocentric appointments and promotions that were engineered and sustained in the Ghana Armed Forces during the NDC Administration?

Why did Commodore Beick-Baffour not ensure that similar forms of magnanimity were extended to some “Akan and non Akan officers suspected to be NPP sympathizers?

For instance, why were Group Captain JEK Ankah and Colonel GS Yakubu not given similar dispensations but were earmarked for release?

Group Captain JEK Ankah, Colonel GS Yakubu, Group Captain RMK Datsa, Brigadier General STM Osabutey and Brigadier General AK Dzisi are all mates of RCC 28. Whereas the Nyebros and their Ga-Adangbe cousins were given positive preferential treatment, the Ankahs and Yakubus were denied fair and equitable treatment.

Would Commodore Beick-Baffour explain why Group Captains JEK Ankah and RMK Datsa were both earmarked for compulsory retirement and given notices to that effect (process initiated by Commodore Beick-Baffour with letters from General Headquarters to Airforce Headquarters) and yet only Group Captain JEK Ankah was to be released while Group Captain RMK Datsa was sent on peace support operations in Mali as the Administrative and Financial officer of GHAV 2 on 21^st September 2015?

Group Captain RMK Datsa (GH/2321) has 7^th October 1958 as his date of birth and therefore reached his compulsory retiring age on 7^th October 2015. 

Yet, with the connivance of Commodore Beick-Baffour and then Air Vice Marshal Samson Oje, Group Captain RMK Datsa was cleverly and strategically sent to Mali where he has since been without any indication of his immediate or imminent release, Group Captain JEK Ankah (GH/2332) could not benefit from a similar arrangement as he is perceived to be a sympathizer of the NPP. 

Group Captain Ankah, whose birth date is 15^th December 1958, has been released from the Service while Group Captain RMK Datsa whose birth date is 7^th October 1958 is still in the Service by courtesy of Commodore Beick-Baffour.

Colonel GS Yakubu (GH/2322) is about to suffer the fate of Group Captain JEK Ankah. With 23^rd February 1960 as his date of birth, Colonel GS Yakubu has already been served with a notice of intended release on account of age. But the truth is that Commodore Beick-Baffour agreed with Colonel JK Akou-Adjei (GH/2268), Army Secretary until he left for course overseas, USA, to deny Colonel GS Yakubu promotion to the rank of Brigadier General thereby making his release from the Ghana Armed Forces imminent.

A similar discrimination against Akan officers in the Medical Corps has been taking place ever since Commodore Beick-Baffour and Colonel JK Akou-Adjei (both from the Volta Region) assumed the appointments of Military Secretary and Army Secretary respectively. 

Only Doctors and Nurses considered to be politically and ethnocentrically correct were promoted Colonels and Brigadier Generals under the regimes of late John Mills and John Mahama when Commodore Beick-Baffour was the Military Secretary.

The cases of the following Doctors and Nurses would be used to buttress this assertion.

The following four doctors were commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces on 14^th August 1987 initially as Lieutenants and not Captains as required by the Armed Forces Regulations and corrected to Captains a few years later when General Arnold Quainoo regained his “sanity”: Dr Ernest Crosby Saka (Jnr) GH/2281), Dr Christopher Kwasi Agbeka (GH/2282), Dr Michael Akwasi Yeboah-Agyapong (GH/2287) and Dr Ralph Kojo Ametepi (GH/2284).

On 5^th January 2000, then Majors EC Saka, CK Agbeka and MA Yeboah-Agyapong were promoted Lieutenant Colonel while then Major RK Ametepi was also promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 21^st December 2000.

On 25^th January 2007, then Lieutenant Colonels EC Saka, CK Agbeka and MA Yeboah-Agyapong were promoted to the rank of Colonel as Officers in charge of OBS and GYNAE, Continuing Medicine Mil Hospital and CO UNOCI GHANAMED 9 respectively. Lieutenant Colonel RK Ametepi was promoted Colonel on 8^th August 2007 as Deputy Director GHQ(Med) to replace Colonel Apeagyei who had been elevated to the status of Deputy Director General (Medical).

From the two promotions of 2000 and 2007, Colonels EC Saka, CK Agbeka and MA Yeboah-Agyapong had maintained their seniority over Colonel RK Ametepi.

But surprisingly, when Surgical Commodore Laryea and Brigadier General PY Kponyoh left the service after serving as Commanders Military Hospital and Director Generals (Medical) at General Headquarters and Brigadier General M Alhassan (GH/2204) was appointed the Director General (Medical) the equation changed in favour of then Colonel RK Ametepi.

Colonel RK Ametepi was appointed Commander 37 Military Hospital to partner Brigadier General M Alhassan as the head of the Medical Corps. Colonel Samuel Otis Bel-Nono (GH/2233) was appointed the Deputy Director General (Medical) while Colonel SK Adjei (GH/2343) was appointed Commanding Officer 37 Military Hospital ahead of his Seniors, Colonels EC Saka, CK Agbeka and MA Yeboah-Agyapong.

On 28^th August 2014, then Colonel RK Ametepi became a Brigadier General and the Commander 37 Military Hospital while then Colonel EC Saka was made Director (Medical) at GHQ (Medical). Thus, Colonel EC Saka was denied the appointment of Commander 37 Military Hospital and the commensurate promotion to the rank of Brigadier General because he was perceived to be a sympathizer of the NPP.

On 2^nd March 2016, Brigadier General RK Ametepi was elevated to the status of Director General (Medical) at the General Headquarters and by the Grace of God, then Colonel EC Saka was appointed the Commander 37 Military Hospital with the rank of Brigadier General.

Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong was also comforted with the appointment of Commanding officer 37 Military Hospital while Colonel CK Agbeka was also elevated to the status of Deputy Director General (Medical).

The Nyebro strategists were at their strategizing best once more as far as Dr CK Agbeka was concerned.

Just as was done for him in 2007 when a non existing vacancy was created for him to be Officer-In-Charge “Continuing Medicine” to be at par with Dr EC Saka who had been made OIC OBS x GYNAE, another non-existing appointment has been created for Dr. CK Agbeka to be the Commander of the Yet-To-Be-Established Kumasi Military Hospital with the rank of Brigadier General with effect from 2^nd November 2016.

Both Doctors Ametepi and Agbeka are part of the “Ewe Mafia” that is well coordinated by Brigadier General AK Adokpa, Commodore Beick-Baffour and others. 

Unfortunately, that opportunity has not been given to Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong!

In the case of the Nursing Officers, two “special ones” were selected out of a batch and promoted Colonel without any formulated establishment leaving the rest to be retired compulsorily on account of age. The two special ones were Lieutenant Colonel Ivy Lena Tamakloe (GH/2015) and Lieutenant Colonel Gladys Amantana (GH/2060).

Colonels Vida Otoo (GH/2012) and Mercy Yelbert (GH/2014) had been appointed as Director Nursing (GHQ Med) and Matron 37 Mil Hospital respectively, thereby filling and exhausting the only two vacancies for Nursing Officers at the time.

Then suddenly came the promotions of the two “special ones” to the rank of Colonel with yet-to-be-promulgated establishments of Deputy Matron (Admin) and Deputy Matron (Clinical). Colonel IL Tamakloe, no doubt, is an active member of the Ewe Mafia while Colonel G Amantana was a school-mate of Mr. John Mahama.

After the promotion of the two “special ones” by Commodore Beick-Baffour and his Military Command, the rest of the good but politically incorrect Nursing officers were released compulsorily on account of age.

Those affected were Lieutenant Colonels Eunice Ohetse Lamptey, Joyce Joan Esaa Opoku, Joelina Eileen Cole, Leonora Dzansi (Mrs), Dinah Adjetey-Adjei, Margaret Dansoa Somuah-Yiadom, Ellen Eleanor Akua Dzantor, Beatrice Narduh Laryea, Genevieve Lokko, Comfort Krofaa Mamah and Lieutenant Colonel Veronica Nana Edua Nartey.

After the departure of the “unfortunate ones”, another opportunity has been created for some selected Nursing Officers to be promoted to the rank of Colonels on 2^nd November 2016. They are Colonel Emelia Duah (GH/2296)-Matron, Colonel Victoria Nyeley Oku (GH/2299)- Deputy Matron (Clinical), Colonel Sabina Owusu Akorful (GH/2352)-Principal NMTC, Colonel Josephine Osei-Vowotor (GH/2471)- Deputy Matron (Admin) and Colonel Annie Djokoto (GH/2482)-Deputy Matron (Admin)

These promotions have been strategically done to tie the hands of the incoming Military High Command and the NPP Administration.

The Ametepis and Agbekas have managed to get their favourites promoted Colonel to escape compulsory retirement on account of age and to position them favorably for future appointments especially when the restructuring of the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Service is implemented.

Can Commodore Beick-Baffour deny knowledge of and participation in this strategy?

By the way why is Brigadier General RK Ametepi still at post?  With 9^th September 1956 as his date of birth, Brigadier General Ametepi turned 60 years on 9^th September 2016 and is to be retired compulsory to pave way for Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong who is the only one of their Medical Intake who is still a Colonel and runs the risk of being retired compulsorily at 60 years with 20^th June 1957 as his date of birth.

Can Commodore Beick-Baffour advise his “countryman” Brigadier General CK Gyasensir, to advise the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff to retire Brigadier General RK Ametepi to pave the way for Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong to become the next Commander 37 Military Hospital so that he can also be promoted Brigadier General? 

Or alternatively, can Commodore Beick-Baffour influence the creation of a vacancy at 37 Military Hospital as Commanding Officer/Rector of the Postgraduate School to enable Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong to also wear the enviable rank of Brigadier General?

Please do that to help a friend in need as you did for Brigadier Generals RK Ametepi, CK Agbeka and Moses Kofi Gyeke Asante who you find to be politically correct.

If an appointment such as “Special Legal Adviser to the CDS” can be created ostensibly to promote a “bootlicker par excellence”; why can’t same be extended to a Senior Oral/Max Specialist of the caliber of Doctor Colonel MA Yeboah-Agyapong who holds genuine specialist Fellowships from Nigeria, UK and Ghana?

What is this victimization that is being promoted by Major General SK Adeti about? Is it true that on Friday 17^th February 2017, Major General SK Adeti called 195901 Cpl Adabanka Emmanuel in the presence of Commodore Beick-Baffour to accuse him of being an agent for the NPP in his office? 

No amount of denial by the poor soldier could convince the once immanent General SK Adeti. 

Rather surprisingly, Commodore Beick-Baffour, who is a lawyer, could not come to the aid of the poor soldier nor give him the benefit of doubt as there was no corroboration of the one-sided allegation preferred against the soldier by Major General SK Adeti. The soldier was posted from GHQ, Accra to Takoradi with effect from that Friday 17^th February 2017.

But before the “poor boy” could pack his things to leave for his new station, he was picked by the Military Police, on the orders of Commodore Moses Beick-Baffour, and has been in the guard room ever since.

You are begging yet you are showing needless bravado. What is this arrogance and intoxication? Who does Major General Adeti think he is? Even under an Administration of Nana Akufo-Addo, Major General Adeti is able to accuse a soldier of being an agent for or a member of the NPP to summarily punish him without formal charges and trial for any service offence(s)!!

“Ei, did we go or did we come” as our rural folks would say

When are we going to see the real changes in the Ghana Armed Forces and the other Security Services? Do we have to wait until the President confirms the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Staff before the benefits of the change in government effected on 7^th January 2017 are realized?

Do we have to be slaves still with Nana Addo as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces? When shall we be liberated from the shackles of domination? 

I urge Major Generals Ayamdo and Akwa to be firm to deal with these unprofessional and barbaric tendencies of some military personnel. The excessive arrogance and pride of the Adetis, Adokpas, Fiawoos, Kporkus, Allohs, Gbekles, Agbekas, Ametepis, Ayers and Dzisis must be checked and checked now. 

They do not seem to appreciate that Ghanaians, in the majority, have voted for change that does not countenance the “Yentie obiara”, “Yen fii obiara”, “Yen mman obiara” to wit, we will not listen to anyone; we will not respect anyone; we do not mind anyone.

Anger In The Military

It may be an understatement that there is anger in all the barracks (Military, Police, Prisons, Immigration, Fire Service and Customs).

All the ardent supporters for change and indeed the return of the NPP to executive and legislative power feel betrayed, dejected, disappointed and humiliated owing to the unexpected turn of events and developments in the various Services, Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Authorities and Boards.

It is a fact today that the NPP and its former Presidential Candidate and now President of the Republic are in power but they are not in effective control of the political, economic and social sectors of the Ghanaian society.

The NDC managed to position its supporters, sympathizers and members in charge of all the security services, MDAs, economic and social heights of the Ghanaian society. The NDC embarked on a massive recruitment drive in order to get its people in charge of all that they survey in Ghana.

By the strategy, the NDC has empowered its members and supporters to the extent that only bold, decisive and uncompromising stance would have to be taken by the Commander-In-Chief, his representatives and appointees to the various MDAs, Security Services, Institutions, Authorities, Boards and Organizations in order to regain control over, establish and maintain sanity in all the public sectors.

The NDC is poised to sabotage the NPP in its efforts to implement all the attractive manifesto and campaign promises. With the looted money, property and recruited personnel in all the public sectors, the NDC is preparing feverishly and seriously to “buy back” political power.

Most NPP sympathizers, supporters and members in the barracks are very worried over these developments especially against the background that “very known NDC officers and men are “still in charge” of most of the sensitive positions and appointments.

Most of the NPP loyalists are calling for REAL CHANGE and not COSMETIC CHANGE.

For instance, in the Ghana Armed Forces, most NPP loyalists are disappointed in the appointments made so far. The recycling of officers in the Military High Command left much to be desired. All the John Mahama faithfuls are still in charge of very sensitive positions. The fear of the NPP loyalists is that the longer the NDC and John Mahama faithfuls are left in very sensitive positions, the more difficult it will be for the NPP to have an effective command and control of the Armed Forces.

The NDC faithfuls would derail all plans by the NPP to improve upon the conditions, welfare and well-being of the Security Services. The retention of the NDC loyalists would not make it possible for the NPP to deal with the corruption and destruction that have taken place in the Ghana Armed Forces. There is no doubt that a lot of corrupt practices, inappropriate actions and malpractices took place in the Ghana Armed Forces between 7 January 2009 and 6 January 2017.

Right from the time of Generals JH Smith as Minister for Defence and PA Blay as the Chief of Defence Staff respectively through the appointments of Vice Admiral M Quashie and Air Marshal M Samson-Oje as the Chiefs of Defence Staff to date, there have been several allegations of corrupt practices, inappropriate actions and malpractices that require urgent investigations and appropriate corrective measures.

For instance, various lands of the Ghana Armed Forces or the state under the care or control of the Ghana Armed Forces have been misappropriated. Some of these lands have either been stolen or shared among some former and current members of the Military High Command, politicians, family members, friends and businessmen of the NDC fraternity.

In some cases, under the guise of the Public Private Partnership (PPP), military lands, facilities, installations and property have been given away for selfish reasons to the detriment of the Ghana Armed Forces and public interest. Lands in Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani and Tamale have been alienated under agreements that are inimical to the interests of the Ghana Armed Forces and nation.

Some former Generals and serving officers were and are still part of the rot that took place and is still taking place in the Ghana Armed Forces.

The issue of acquisition of military assets, accoutrements and necessaries must be re-examined to see whether the Ghana Armed Forces had real value for money.

Another project that needs thorough investigation is the Armed Forces Bank which exists currently in the form of a Non-Banking Financial Institution. The Services Integrity Savings and Loans (SIS&L) Financial Institution must be subjected to forensic audit. The processes, procedures and strategies used and culminating in the establishment of the Services Integrity Savings and Loans (SIS&L) Financial Institution must be thoroughly investigated. 

The role of Brigadier General AK Adokpa (the former Director General Defence Industries Department and Director Resettlement) and his MAWULI schoolmates must be made known to the public.

Issues related to the establishment of the Provident Fund, its management and position or role in relation to the establishment of the Services Integrity Savings and Loans (SIS&L) Financial Institution must be known.

For instance, who were and are the managers of the Provident Fund? What was the initial amount deposited with the Fund Managers? How far has the Fund grown? What is the real relationship between the Provident Fund and the Services Integrity Savings and Loans (SIS&L) Financial Institution? 

Another area of concern to the NPP loyalists in the Ghana Armed Forces is the management of their peace-keeping money and allowances and the acquisition of vehicles and essential equipment for peace support operations in Southern Sudan, Liberia, Lebanon, Ivory Coast and Mali.

There are allegations that various types of Chinese second-hand vehicles and equipment that became unserviceable within extremely short periods were acquired by former President John Mahama and his Military High Command for home use and peace support operations.

Most of these acquisitions were done when then Commodore Biekro and Major General Saagbul were Chiefs of Staff; General PA Blay, Admiral Quashie and Air Marshal Oje were Chiefs of Defence Staff and John Mahama was Vice President and President of the Republic of Ghana respectively.

Ghana has become a laughing stock in some of the Mission Areas. A lot of vehicles and equipment used by Ghanaian peacekeepers are not as suitable and serviceable as per the standards of the United Nations. The situation has become more worrisome now that Ghana is operating under the “Wet Lease System” which requires that Ghana should pre-finance the acquisition of all necessaries for their peace support operations to be reimbursed later by the United Nations.

All these concerns could be properly addressed if the Ghana Armed Forces were to be given a truly independent, impartial, honest and loyal Military High Command. It is feared that apart from General OB Akwa whose “hands are clean”, the same cannot be said of the rest of the Military High Command appointed or re-affirmed between the 8^th and 10^th February 2017.

 The current members of the Military High Command with the exception of General OB Akwa may be considered as direct allies of the immediate past members of the Military High Command.

The dodgiest member of the current Military High Command is my new found friend, Commodore Moses Beick-Baffour. The links between Commodore M Beick-Baffour  and General PA Blay, Vice Admiral Quashie, Rear Admiral Biekro, Rear Admiral Kofi Faidoo and Brigadier General AK Adokpa are such that no real investigations into all these allegations of malfeasance, malpractices and inappropriate actions detrimental to the interests of the Ghana Armed Forces and the nation could be conducted with him as the Chief of Staff.

The position of the Chief of Staff is very important in the Ghana Armed Forces. The Chief of Staff is the nerve centre of the administration, command and control of the Chief of Defence Staff over the affairs of the Armed Forces. The Chief of Staff coordinates the activities of the three services-Army, Navy and Airforce.

Again, the Chief of Staff coordinates the activities of the three highest institutions of the Ghana Armed Forces namely Military Academy and Training Schools (MATS), Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Moreover, the office of the Chief of Staff is the link between the foreign missions of the Ghana Armed Forces (Defence Advisers, Defence, Military, Naval and Airforce Attaches) and the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, the Chief of Staff plays major roles in the appointments and promotions of officers for both tri-service and single service vacancies.

Considering the fact that the Chief of Staff would play very useful and key roles in the need for real change in order to have equity and sanity in the Ghana Armed Forces, the past records and posture of Commodore Moses Beick-Baffour make him unsuitable and absurd for the appointment of the Chief of Staff.

My new friend Commodore Beick-Baffour has demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubts that he cannot be trusted to be fair, impartial and independent in his judgment. He is an active member of the cabal that seeks the best for only his tribesmen and perhaps those who are loyal to the NDC while at the same time he seeks to destroy Akan officers and Non Akans suspected to be loyal to the NPP.

A few examples would be given to support these assertions. 

As the Military Secretary, Commodore Beick-Baffour did everything possible to ensure the appointments and promotions of his tribesmen while denying same to some Akans and Non Akans suspected to be NPP sympathizers.

For instance then Colonels Alex Kofi Appiah-Agyapong (GH/1930), Cecilia Akyiaa-Gambrah (GH/2134) and Anthony Komla Adokpa (GH/1957) had 1956 as years of birth. The dates of birth of the three officers are 26^th October 1956, 22^nd March 1956 and 20^th March 1956 respectively. Thus, on account of age (57 years), the three officers were due for retirement compulsorily in 2013 (i.e. 20^th March 2013 for the then Colonel AK Adokpa, 22^nd March 2013 for Colonel C Akyiaa-Ganbrah and 26^th October 2013 for Colonel AK Appiah-Agyapong).

The only thing that could save any of the three officers from the imminent compulsory retirement was either promotion to the rank of Brigadier General or an extension of service by either their Service Commanders or the Chief of Defence Staff.

Interestingly, Colonels C Akyiaa-Gambrah and AK Appiah-Agyapong were released strictly according to their dates of birth while then Colonel AK Adokpa was made to stay in the Service as a Colonel from 20^th March 2013 till 20^th December 2013 when he was promoted Brigadier General and confirmed as the Director General Defence Industries Department (DG DID) which appointment he had been holding since 26^th April 2013.

Additionally, Brigadier General AK Adokpa maintained his position as Director of Resettlement at the General Headquarters.

Another wicked action of Commodore Beick-Baffour is the compulsory retirement of Colonel AK Asare (GH/1980). Colonel AK Asare was made to act as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) then Northern Command when the former GOC, then Brigadier General R Opoku-Adusei (GH/2127) was elevated to the status of Chief of Army Staff.

Rather strangely, Colonel AK Asare was made to hand over his duties as Acting GOC to then Colonel JA Boampong (GH/2176), a very close friend of Brigadier General AK Adokpa.

Subsequently, Colonel AK Asare was compulsorily retired while Colonel JA Boampong was promoted Brigadier General. Though Brigadier General JA Boampong is an Ashanti, by his closest association with Brigadier General AK Adokpa and the cabal, he was considered as a loyal NDC officer and rewarded appropriately. Currently, he is the Defence Adviser to China.

Yet another roguish action of Commodore Beick-Baffour is the compulsory retirement of Naval Captain EK Ankamah (GH/2159). 

Commodore Beick-Baffour always saw Captain (GN) EK Ankamah as a threat to his ambition to becoming a Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Naval Captain EK Ankamah and now Rear Admiral Seth Amoama were mates of Intake RCC 23 and were therefore a year senior in service to Commodore Beick-Baffour of Intake RCC 24.  

The main competitors (or rivals) of Commodore Beick-Baffour were Commodore S Appiah-Mensah (rtd) and Commodore AB Osei (GH/2076).

Fortunately for Commodore Beick-Baffour his closest intake rival then Commander Seth Appiah-Mensah retired from the Navy voluntarily after winning an American Visa Lotto thereby relocating with his entire family to the United States. Then Commander S Appiah-Mensah left his appointment as the Second ADC to President JA Kufuor (at a time then Colonel Adjei, the substantive ADC, had been earmarked for appointment as Defence Adviser, London, UK)

With a sigh of relief, after the departure of Commader S Appiah-Mensah, Naval Captain and later Commodore Beick-Baffour set out to deal with his real competitors. It was easier to deal with the threat of Naval Captain Ankamah who appeared to be “over-aged” as compared with then Naval Captain AB Osei.

With 1^st July 1958 as his date of birth, Naval Captain Kofi Ankamah was due for compulsory retirement on account of age on 1^st July 2015. Commodore Beick-Baffour ensured that Naval Captain Ankamah was not promoted to the rank of Commodore to escape compulsory retirement at the age of 57 years.

In the case of then Naval Captain AB Osei, it took the divine intervention of God for him to be promoted Commodore on 2^nd November 2016 after Commodore Beick-Baffour had handed over the duties of Military Secretary to his kinsman, Brigadier General CK Gyasensir (GH/2166).

Even on the 2^nd November 2016 now Commodore AB Osei was saved by the obvious one sided promotion of only his tribesmen to the rank of Brigadier General and its equivalents. It was on the same 2^nd November 2016, when it had become obvious that the NDC would lose the elections in December 2016, that Colonels CK Agbeka (GH/2282) and SMKAE Ayer (GH/2033) were promoted Brigadier Generals. It was the possible political costs of those “Ewes promotions” that enabled the “Hand of God” to touch the heart of President John Mahama to include the name of Commodore AB Osei. 

The promotion of Commodore AB Osei was a surprise to the cabal and infuriated them. Commodore Beick-Baffour had worked everything out with the “double face” Rear Admiral Faidoo to deny then Naval Captain AB Osei promotion so that he could be released in December 2016 as his date of birth is 15^th December 1959. The promotion of Commodore AB Osei was a set-back for the Faidoo-Beick-Baffour agenda.

One would have thought that with the advent of the NPP administration of Nana Addo, the duo of Faidoo-Beick-Baffour would discontinue with their diabolical plan of retiring or frustrating Commodore AB Osei. That was not to be. The cabal has managed to get Commodore AB Osei posted out of the Ministry of Defence (the Square) to a humiliating appointment at the Western Naval Command where his junior is to be the FOC. 

As the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) at the Sqaure, Commodore AB Osei was influential and therefore had a better job satisfaction than what he is being offered. The sad aspect of Commodore AB Osei’s ill treatment is the fact that he would have been very useful to the new Minister of Defence and Chief Director owing to his long stay at the Square.

The outgone government appointed Dr Dzikunu as Chief Director in November 2016 just a few weeks before the 2016 elections as part of the grand agenda to be in control of all they survey while the NPP exercises political power. As members of the reconstituted Armed Forces Council, Rear Admiral Faidoo, Dr. Dzikunu and the FSM with a surprising tacit approval of the Minister of Defence have managed to push Commodore AB Osei to oblivion in order to have their way at the Square.

The Chief Director, Rear Admiral Faidoo and Commodore Beick-Baffour are not comfortable with Commodore AB OSei’s powerful appointment at the Square. They think that he knows “too much” and “so much” about developments at the Ministry of Defence. Obviously, Commodore AB Osei has become a “threat” to their interests.

But objective minded loyal NPP officers and men are worried over the transfer or postings of Commodore AB Osei. The replacement of Commodore AB Osei with Brigadier General Musah Whajah is even more worrisome and incongruous. General Whajah is one of the senior-most Brigadier Generals and was therefore expecting an elevation to the rank of two star general as was done for Major General SK Adeti.

Moreover, any human resource expert would recommend General Whajah for a key field and command appointment such as Commandant MATS or continuation as GOC even if it for the Northern Command rather than a demanding staff appointment as PGSO at the Square.

It is quite surprising that the Defence Minister could not read through the trap of the cabal to “remove” Commodore AB Osei from the Square for selfish rather than service interest. With the departure of Commodore AB Osei and the arrival of Colonel S Adorkor to beef up the already “NDC infested Square”, the stage is set for leakage of secret and confidential information about the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces.

With this decision on Commodore AB Osei, the Minister of Defence, the NPP as a party and government are the losers. This decision could be reviewed to avert any catastrophe.

General Okyere’s Nonsense

A lot of officers and men who fought bravely to ensure the return of the elephant to “executive power” in Ama Ghana are harbouring anger and pain over the developments in the Ghana Armed Forces in recent times.

When rumours were rife that Brigadier General Francis Vib-Sanziri was to be appointed the Chief of Army Staff, several senior officers including Generals and Colonels, serving and retired, opposed the idea vehemently. 

Little did they know that the worst form of that decision was to follow. Some of the senior officers who “hated” General Sanziri are beginning to revise their notes following the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to appoint Naval Commodore Moses Beick-Baffour (GH/2073) as the Chief of Staff to replace Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti (GH/2025).

These “Latter Day Saints” are now saying that the angel you know not cannot be better than the devil you know. 

Certainly, Major General SK Adeti is the devil who is known and appears to be repenting and is eager to do positive business with the NPP administration.

Between Commodore M Beick-Baffour and Major General Adeti, the pendulum of the opinion court is apparently in favour of the latter.

Major General SK Adeti has done his worst during the 2016 elections and his position is known.

Commodore M Beick-Baffour has been a thorn in the flesh of Akans and NPP sympathizers.

Using his appointment as the Military Secretary, Commodore M Beick-Baffour persecuted a lot of Akan officers including the Appiah-Agyapongs. He denied several Akan officers their due promotions and appointments. He assisted the Biekros to truncate the military career of the Adjaye-Gaisies with concocted pieces of evidence.

He delayed the promotions of some Akan and NPP sympathetic officers such as those of the Darkwas, Appiah-Kubis, Danquahs and Aphous while facilitating and precipitating those of the Edjeanis and Dzisis. He and the Adokpas, Akou-Adjeis, Ametepis, Agbekas and the Adetis decided the fate of several Akan and non Akan NPP sympathizers.

Commodore M Beick-Baffour had the support of the Steve Obimpehs and the Flagstaff House to decide on who gets appointments, promotions or released from the Ghana Armed Forces. It was Commodore Beick-Baffour who set the agenda with the Adokpas and rest of the Dzelukope Mafia to persuade Service Commanders to do as they wished.

Consequently, the Opoku Aduseis and Obed Akwas were just to rubber stamp decisions of Commodore M Beick Baffour and his Mafia.

They decided on which officers would attend which foreign courses-young officers, Combat Team Commanders, Junior and Senior Command and Staff, War Colleges and Institutes of Defence Strategic Studies and civil courses.

That explains why the Akou-Adejeis and Mustaphas are given courses in the USA and “most preferred countries”-UK, Canada, France, Nigeria and China.

The criteria for the selection of officers for these courses were doctored or prepared to favour “themselves” to the detriment of hardworking, intelligent and professionally upright Akan and non-Akan officers considered to be sympathetic to the course of NPP.

It is in the light of all these “atrocities” against the elephant fraternity that Commodore M Beick-Baffour has again dribbled his way into the forefront of the NPP pretending to be a “born again”. How can such a wicked hypocrite become a genuine born again NPP sympathizer?

Yet, he has managed to play his cards very well using the Ewe Caucus in the Bar, Bench and NPP to become acceptable as a preferred candidate over the Boimahs and Dzamefes to become the Chief of Staff. He has managed to beat the likes of the Omane Agyekums who have sacrificed and suffered under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regimes of yester years and the recent past.

What concerned NPP sympathizers are asking is this simple question: “IS IT WORTH DYING FOR THE NPP?”

Most respondents are of the opinion that comparing what the NDC is always prepared to do for their members and sympathizers and those of the NPP; the answer is a big NO.

Imagine some of the childish and silly arguments being used to support the candidature of Commodore Beick-Baffour: that because Major General SK Adeti is an Ewe (Voltarian) and has been relieved of his appointment, another Ewe (Voltarian) must take his place. 

Secondly, amongst the Ewe (Voltarian) officers who are mostly NDC sympathizers Commodore Beick-Baffour appears to be a “mild NDC” sympathizer.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth! If Commodore M Beick-Baffour’s support for the NDC is considered to be “mild” then I can imagine what a serious NDC supporter in the officer corps would look like!!

For those who do not know how Commodore Beick-Baffour operates, he is more dangerous than Major General SK Adeti. At least Major General SK Adeti is not a hypocrite. Neither is he a pretender.

Right from his Subaltern days (Lieutenant and Captain), Major General SK Adeti has been consistently a pro PNDC and NDC officer. Major General Adeti never for once hid his links with the P/NDC. As a matter of fact, as a young officer, Major General Adeti had the portrait of Jerry Rawlings with him and openly displayed it in his rooms (at Messes and Married Quarters).

Additionally, Major General Adeti was always ready to defend Jerry Rawlings and his two coup d’états (4 June 1979 and 31 December 1982).

I may not like Major General SK Adeti because of the Southern Command pick-up and related issues but as an observer, these are character traits of honesty, bravery and consistency.   

But can the same be said of Commodore M Beick-Baffour? Big NO. 

Commodore Beick-Baffour has always been opportunistic. He dances to the tune of the political order of the day. 

In his young officer days until Lieutenant Commander, he was always with the PNDC and NDC. He managed to get seconded to the Ghana Maritime Academy, Fisheries Department, the Ministries and appropriate Institutions and Agencies where his expertise in the Navy and the Maritime world would be useful to propel him to prosperity.

During the era of President Kufuor, then Commander Beick-Baffour managed to use the Gyaasaayars (Justice) and others to get what he wanted. 

Then came the NDC under Presidents Mills and Mahama, then Captain (GN) and now Commodore Beick-Baffour would use his “anchor” in the Volta Region and mast in the Biekros and Faidoos to get what he wanted.

Again, under President Nana Addo, Commodore Beick-Baffour is in the limelight having “washed his hands” well and is set to be appointed Chief of Staff and promoted Rear Admiral which will catapult him to become the next Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) after Rear Admiral Faidoo as originally planned by the Adokpas had the NDC won the 2016 elections.

With the pieces of information on Commodore Beick-Baffuor, may I proceed to analyze some of the arguments used by the General Okyeres and their likes to justify their shameless betrayal of the cause of the helpless, already victimized and uncared for teeming supporters and sympathizers of the NPP in the barracks.

Firstly, is it not nonsense for the likes of General Okyere to think that two Akans should not occupy the seats of Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, where were they when Air Marshal Dumashie was the Chief of Defence Staff and General BK Akafia was the Army Commander?

These two Generals were not Ewes but were all from the Anlo area of the Volta Region too. 

Again where were they when General Arnold Quainoo was the Force Commander (combining the functions of Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander) after the resignation of Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah as the Chief of Defence Staff and Brigadier General Klutse was the Brigade Commander of 1 Infantry Bde Gp and effectively the No 2 to Quainoo in spite of the fact that we had lame duck Navy and Airforce Commanders. 

Where were the General Okyeres when the Bosrotsis, Ntumys, Toppors, Kpetos, Weirs, Agumes, Agbemasus, Attopoes and Lord Attivors were in charge of all the key positions in the Ghana Armed Forces between 1982 and 1993?

The argument that if the NDC made errors, the NPP should not follow suit does not wash. They used the executive power to the advantage of their supporters and sympathizers to the detriment of the Akans and non-Akans suspected to be NPP sympathizers

.

Because of the Ewe hegemony, first class officers such as the Twumasis Oti-Prempehs, Ohene Asantes, Ohene Asares, Lemteys, Ayiteys and Addas were thrown out of the main stream to pave way for Quainoos, Dumashies, and Akafias.

Surely, the General Okyeres did not see those ones and are prepared to hurt and humiliate sympathizers of the NPP in the barracks.

Today, the rank and file of the elephant fraternity have become the laughing stock. 

Ardent, vociferous and non- compromising “NDC soldiers” and supporters in the barracks are the ones who have been selected for duties at Castle and Jubilee House while the real combatants, warriors who sacrificed and fought for the elephant to leave the jungle and return to the corridors of power are still walking and roaming about in the barracks disappointed, dejected and uncertain about their future.

The soldiers who behaved professionally and protected the Constitution of Ghana cannot find favour with the Captain Kodas, Lieutenant Colonel Owusu Ansahs and Colonel Onwonas.

Instead, the drivers, bodyguards and clerks of the Chief of Staff, Commandants, Director Generals, Directors and Principal Staff Officers at General Headquarters, Service Headquarters, Command Headquarters, Bases and Units are the ones now enjoying thanks to the nonsense of a certain Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere. 

These “parasites” are the ones riding in the Toyota Landcruiser V8s, V6s, Prados and other enviable vehicles.

Some loyal soldiers of the elephant fraternity are being victimized. Some of them have been deliberately posted to Bawku, Yendi and Bimbilla while the “parasites” are now calling the shots.

The distressed faithfuls are crying inside themselves. Their spouses are worried. Their children are being mocked at.

This can only happen because of the nonsense of a certain Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere who as GOC Southern Command made sure NPP lost to his mother party. 

There is anger in the barracks today due to the nonsense of Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere.

My sources have indicated that the Armed Forces Council has met for the first time under the auspices of Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia with the following as other members:

MINISTER OF DEFENCE- DOMINIC NITIWUL

MINISTER OF INTERIOR-AMBROSE DERY

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS- MRS. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY

MAJOR GENERAL OB AKWA –CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

MAJOR GENERAL WA AYAMDO-CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

REAR ADMIRAL PK FAIDOO- CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF

AIR VICE MARSHAL M NAGAI-CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

BRIGADIER GENERAL RO SACKEY-MEMBER

COLONEL C ANKOMAH DANSO-MEMBER

FSM-MEMBER

THE CHIEF DIRECTOR AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.

The main agenda for the first NPP Armed Forces Council Meeting were promotion and appointments of officers in the wake of the elevation of Major Generals OB Akwa and WA WA Ayamdo to the status of Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff respectively.

The following officers have been given appointments and promotions as follows:


1.      Brigadier General WO Agyekum – Commandant MATS.

2.      Brigadier General CKAA Awity – DG PA

3.      Brigadier General F Vib Sanziri – DG IPSO

4.      Brigadier General  M Whajah -  MOD (CD) PGSO

5.      Brigadier General T Oppong-Peprah- GOC South Comd

6.      Brigadier General  PN Andoh  - DG DI

7.      Brigadier General  AK Adu- DG IGD

8.      Brigadier General  INA Aryeetey – R List (Att to GHQ(Camp) for duties with MONUSCO as Western Bde Comd

9.      Brigadier General  ST Osabutey – R List (Att to GHQ(Camp) for duties with UNMISS as Sector Commander

10.  Colonel JP Osei Owusu- A/DG DID

11.  Colonel AY Nsiah – A/CSO Army HQ

12.  Colonel EA Baidoo- DMP

13.  Colonel S Adorkor – LO Army MOD

14.  Commodore SW Anim – Naval HQ

15.  Commodore M Beick-Baffour – A/COS GHQ COS