Cry Our Cry Please (3)

Expectations had been very high that the “authorities” would heed the “cry” of Patriotic Concerned Officers and Men (PACOM) of the various security services with a sense of urgency and foresight bearing in mind the ill-treatment, injustices, victimization and harassment that the NDC government and its associates meted out to innocent professionally upright officers and men who were considered to be either NPP sympathizers or not on the side of the NDC.

Unfortunately, those expectations have not been met and there are no indications that they would be met in the near future so long as the Kan Dapaahs, E Okyeres, Nitiwuls, Derys and their “shadows” (the Francis Pokus, RO Sackeys and Gbevlo-Larteys) remain in charge.

Very hardworking and professionally very upright persons who assisted and played various roles to bring the ELEPHANT back into the seat of government are increasingly getting disappointed, disillusioned, frustrated and despondent about the way things are being done or orchestrated in and outside the barracks.

There is no doubt that the NDC is still in firm control and in charge of affairs. The NDC loyalists are using blackmail, political and ethnocentric persecutions as their propaganda weapons to an underserved advantage. 

Having “purged” the top hierarchies of all the security services from their perceived NPP sympathizers and having ensured that only NDC loyalists were appointed and promoted into all the top positions, the NDC and its members now feel threatened that the NPP government would “retaliate” or pay them back in their own coin. Hence crying wolf when there is none and chasing their own ghosts. 

The former NDC government and its members do not deny that they embarked upon a political vendetta when they “regained” political power in January 2009.

Not even Professor JEA Mills (a pretender of Asomdwee-Asomdwehene) could stop the animalistic tendencies in the hawks. The Gbevlo-Larteys went after every perceived political opponent including even President John Kufuor and then Presidential Candidate of the NPP and now President of the Republic, Nana Addo.

Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey, who had been well “settled” on retirement, was incensed by his compulsory retirement during the regime of President John Kufuor. Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey had forgotten the comments he made as the Commanding Officer of the 64 Infantry Regiment during a visit to the unit by Dr Kwame Addo Kufour.

Again, after being posted to GAFCSC as a member of the Directing Staff, Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey continued to pass unprofessional and disloyal comments about the hierarchy of the Ghana Armed Forces and the NPP government.

The postings of Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey on peacekeeping missions did not see any remorseful changes in him. He continued to behave as if he was the only “Commando”, “elite officer” and “security expert” in the country. 

His actions and inactions in the Congo all culminated in his retirement and yet he would rather vent his anger and frustration on the NPP government of John Kufour rather than himself. The arrogance, extraordinary air of importance and the “untouchable status” that Larry (as he was affectionately called) exhibited goaded him on to deal drastically with all perceived political opponents when he became the National Security Coordinator.

With the “dreaded Larry” in charge of Security matters, surrounded by several kinsmen of malicious intents, he ensured that all key positions in the security services were “reserved” for the NDC politically and ethnocentrically correct only.

Mass retirements of Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels were effected in the Ghana Armed Forces, in particular, with impunity and without any compunction. Where it became necessary to retire some officers from the Volta Region and the three Northern Regions, they were quickly given positions and appointments at the National Security Secretariat (Blue-Gate and Castle those days).

Consequently, the Theo Tawiahs, Victor Gamors, Nibos, Eshuns, Agudugos and several others found their way to various positions and appointments in the National Security apparatus.

Those who remained in the Ghana Armed Forces became “tin gods”. For instance, the late Colonel COA Nutakor became a dictator and an untouchable at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Not even the Commandant, Major General Kwesi Yankson, could “contain” let alone “control” him.

No wonder that Colonel COA Nutakor, then a student at the Ghana School of Law, could take an accountable imprest (in dollars) meant for the delegation to the Republic of Benin as part of the College’s Regional Tours. The likes of then Colonel and later Brigadier General AK Adokpa, the Lawsons, Tanye-Kulonyos, Datsas, Fianyas, Fiawoos, Gagakumas, Beick-Baffours, Dzisis, Edjeanis and Senyo Ayers among others had become the “supremos” in the barracks and the NDC government.

They found an “anchor” in the Chief of Staff, Commodore GM Biekro, who had rendered the then Chief of Defence Staff , Lieutenant General PA Blay, a “Simpa Payin” (Ceremonial head).

Similar things happened in the other security services especially the Ghana Police Service, the BNI, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Immigration Service.

Most officers and men perceived to be sympathetic to the NPP lost their positions and appointments to the Nyebros and their allies of the Batakari fraternity. Postings to “Siberias” were the order of the day. Thus, most Akans and others perceived to be NPP symapathizers were posted to very rural and remote communities.

In their places, the “NDC Blessed Ones” were appointed. There is no need to remind ourselves of the Superintendent Kwasi Ofori’s issue in Kumasi. Superintendent Kwasi Ofori, who was in charge of Public Relations during John Kufour’s presidency, was whisked away from the Police Headquarters in the first “Police Reshuffle”. In his place was appointed then ASP Cephas Arthur who surprisingly is still holding onto his position in view of his clear leanings towards the NDC.

ASP Cephas Arthur defended the John Kudalors, Mohammed Alhassans, Paul Tawiah Quayes even when innocent citizens on peaceful and lawful demonstrations had lost their sights, had been brutalized (brutally assaulted and battered), had lost their lives at Agbogbloshie, Chereponi, Agogo and other areas.

Yet Superintendent Cephas Arthur, unlike Kwasi Ofori, has been enjoying his appointment better under even IGP David Asante-Apieatu and President Nana Addo.

In 2009, the then Director General Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Mr. Adu Poku and his Deputy, Mr. Ken Yeboah were all posted out of the Department under very bizarre circumstances. In their places were appointed persons from the Volta Region.

Mr. Prosper Ablor who had been seconded to the Ivory Coast by the Kufour administration became a traitor and kept his position as Director General Criminal Investigations Department under all the three NDC appointed IGPs between 2009 and 2017.

Mr. Prosper Ablor coordinated the efforts, resources and intelligence necessary for the victory of the NDC in the 2008 Ghanaian general elections with the protection and diplomatic immunity of Ghana’s Embassy in Abidjan. No wonder that his appointment and promotion to the status of Director General CID and Deputy Commissioner of Police respectively followed immediately after handing/taking over of Executive power on 7 January 2009.

Mr. Prosper Ablor partnered Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey and others very well on security matters. Meetings were held within and outside Ghana involving serving and retired military, police, BNI and External Intelligence officers. Some of those meetings were attended by then Colonel and now Brigadier General AK Dzisi, especially the overseas meetings. 

During the first term of the NDC, when for a greater part, Professor John Mills was the lame duck President, some of the officers and men of NDC roots, who are now pretending to be NPP members, had a field day and were the ones calling the shots. 

For instance, it was during that period that Colonel F Vib-Sanziri got seconded to the United Nations in New York while his wife, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, also got posted to Ghana’s High Commission in UK.

On their return to Ghana during the presidency of John Mahama, they both got promoted to the ranks of Brigadier General and Deputy Commissioner of Police respectively and held various key appointments in the security services and the NDC.

Today, Mr. Ambrose Dery has appointed Mrs. Vib-Sanziri to the Board of Directors of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust as a member of the Police Management Board at the Police Headquarters. Her husband, Brigadier General F Vib-Sanziri, who was recently relieved of his appointment as Director General National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is currently the Director General International Peace Support Operations (IPSO) and is being considered for promotion and/or appointment as a Defence Adviser since age is not on his side.

All these have become possible because of the fact that they are “Northerners” and have two “Northerners” as Ministers of Interior and Defence.

Brigadier General F Vib-Sanziri is believed to be of the same tribe as Mr. Ambrose Dery and they are believed to be school mates in the Upper West Region.

Similarly, my catholic brother and not Lodge brother Brigadier General AK Dzisi, the Defence Financial Controller of the Ghana Armed Forces has managed to “shed his NDC skin” and is now wearing a “cosmetic NPP coat” owing to his abilities and skills in penetrating the integrity doors of the Flagstaff House and the Square.

Today, Brigadier General Dzisi’s confidence has soared astronomically because he has “washed his hands well” and is no longer scared of any threats including those from his own “nye sister”, Brigadier General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu. The two “Nyebros” are all using their contacts in and outside the NPP fraternity to gain advantage over each other. Whereas, Brigadier General AK Dzisi is the incumbent and expects to be allowed to “complete his tour of duty”, the over-ambitious Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu is bent on “dethroning” his junior Brigadier General AK Dzisi at all cost.

Today, Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu is using the Togbe Afedes, Obed Akwas, Okyeres, Nitiwuls, Women Affirmative Associations, the first and second Ladies and “any powers” that she can appeal through to be made the Defence Financial Controller.

Indeed, Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu is not satisfied with the “numerous firsts” that she has already scored in her military career. Among her “first titles” are:

1.    First Female officer to be man-handled, ill treated by soldiers after the 31^st December 1981 coup d’état of the PNDC owing to her alleged “offences” as a Border Guard officer
2.       First Female officer to be appointed a Commanding Officer (i.e. Commanding Officer Forces Pay Office)
3.        First Female officer to be appointed Deputy Military Adviser to the UN in New York (Deputy MILAD)
4.      First  Female officer to be appointed and promoted Brigadier General

Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu is not satisfied with all these “first titles”. She wants to be appointed “Defence Financial Controller” as a matter of urgency and is moving heaven and earth ably supported by her husband and her elder sister to achieve that feat.

It is interesting to note that Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu scored all her “first titles” during the era of the PNDC and NDC 1 under Jerry Rawlings and NDC 2 of Mills/Mahama administration.

Both Brigadier Generals Dzisi and CE Edjeani-Afenu openly demonstrated their proud membership of the NDC after 7^th January 2009. With then Lieutenant Colonel Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono (a father of the only child of Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu’s younger sister-late Colonel Peggy Edjeani) as the President’s Security Coordinator at the Castle, then Lieutenant Colonel and now 

Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu and her younger sister warmly walked under the NDC umbrella and exploited all the opportunities to advantage.

No mention was then made of the senior Edjeani, a former educationist, believed to be a sympathizer or member of the NPP. Today the political pendulum has swung in favour of the NPP and Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu has remembered that her senior sister and NOT SHE, is a member of the NPP, and must be a beneficiary of her sister’s “works and contributions”.

Again, Brigadier General CE Edjeani-Afenu is exploiting the fact General Obed Akwa is an Intake Mate of her husband, Captain Frederick Afenu (Rtd) to advantage.

That is the tale of the two Nyebro Brigadier Generals of the Forces Pay Corps of the Ghana Armed Forces!!!

Members of PACOM are not enthused at all about any of the two Brigadier Generals to lead the Pay Corps at this “moment of truth”. The “eye service”, “propaganda” and “blackmail” of the pretenders must give way to realism. The genuine, loyal, upright and patriotic officers in the corps should also be given the chance in order to bring the Nyebro hegemonic dynasty to a close.

What are members of PACOM hearing? That Colonel Selassie Gagakuma, a dyed in wool NDC member, has been made the Director of Supplies and Transport? Then the NPP government should be ready to pay huge bills on food and fuel. The incredible figures outstanding as food and fuel bills left behind by the Mahama administration are going to be astronomically higher under the Directorship of Colonel Selassie Gagakuma.

And the Directorate of Ordnance Services has also gone to another NDC stalwart! E! What are the NPP Ministers and Advisers responsible for Security, Defence and Safety doing?

Oh, so the Kan Dapaahs, Kyeremehs, Okyeres, Akwas, Ayamdos and others cannot see through the shadow manipulations taking place all over the barracks by the NDC officers and men?

Indeed, these personalities are not “crying our cry”. They are crying their own cry. But we want them to cry our cry. They should not forget that 2016 is now history and that 2020 and 2024 are the critical years for the NPP. The so called security experts should not forget that just as John Mahama was booted out after only one term (but technically and fortunately for him he could be credited with two terms owing to the “free hand” that he had as Vice President of John Mills), the same fate could be that of Nana Addo.

The numerous Ministers and Advisers should not forget that by their actions, and omissions, the NDC is gradually and incrementally gaining grounds to challenge and possibly displace the NPP in 2020. No complacency should be tolerated. 

CRY OUR CRY PLEASE!

Cry Our Cry Please (2)

The Patriotic Concerned Officers and Men (PACOM) in our communities continue to lament over developments in the Security Services in particular and the Public Administration System (PAS) in general.

The lamentations of PACOM are premised on the grounds that known, wicked, vicious treacherous, callous and hypocritical members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have “managed” to maintain their appointments and positions and even in some cases have been elevated or promoted to higher positions, appointments and ranks.

Members of the NDC instead of being apologetic for all the misdeeds, atrocities, brutalities, corruption, malfeasance, mismanagement, harassment, political vendetta and vindictiveness, in some cases using the Security Services such as the Police, BNI, National Security Secretariat, to oppress, suppress, harass, humiliate and destroy the economic and social infrastructure of opposition members, have rather restored to a strategy of blackmail.

While the government of John Mahama did not care about members of the then opposition, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in relieving people of their appointments and in most cases putting NDC square pegs in round holes, they are now making unjustified allegations of persecution by the NPP.  

Members of the NDC holding very sensitive and strategic positions such as Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the Managing Director of Ghana Commercial Bank, National Investment Bank, Agricultural Development Bank among others have entrenched themselves in their positions and have resorted blackmailing the NPP government with the allegation that the NPP is “removing” Non-Akans (i.e. Ewes and Northerners) and is replacing them with Akans, specifically Akims and Asantes.

There are similar false allegations in the military where very known NDC officers who have been “tainted” with greed, corruption, mismanagement, arrogance, pride and over-ambition are now claiming that there is a witch-hunting project against them. 

What an irony of development!!!

Is it not logical that when majority of NDC appointments and promotions are reserved or earmarked for only Northerners and Ewes, who are embroiled in various forms of malpractices, mismanagement and incompetence, and the axe is falling or changes are being effected in those affected areas (appointments/positions/promotions) they are likely to be the casualties? 

Why did John Mahama and his group not think about “sacking or removing” Akan officers who were holding appointments when President Kufour was leaving office in January 2009? 

Why did Mr. Mahama decide to “ignore” qualified Akans in most of his considerations when appointing persons to “juicy” and sensitive appointments and positions?

Was it not the case that most of the Akans were made to serve under their juniors?

Were Mahama’s favorites, cronies, friend, relatives, foot-soldiers and relatives not considered favorably over and above their more qualified counterparts perceived to be NPP supporters/members/sympathizers?

Did the NPP as a party or the elected officials or members resist those changes?

As civilized members of society believing in the rule of law and democracy, the NPP as a party and its members/affiliates/sympathizers and well-wishes accepted the right of the President of the Republic to hire and fire personnel into or from the Public Services as permitted by law.

In most cases, the NDC knew that they were doing wrong things but they did not care and could not be bothered at all by any legal considerations. The NDC did what it considered right especially in order to satisfy their supporters, foot-soldiers and sympathizers who did not want any NPP person to be in any high public office.

In January 2009, it was Jerry Rawlings, who threw the first salvo by demanding that President Mills should change all the heads of the Security Services. Jerry Rawlings made the call on or around 22^nd January 2009.

On Monday 26^th January 2009, Professor John Mills, then President, summoned the then Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, General JB Danquah and the then Inspector General of Police, Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong to the Osu Castle where he thanked them for their invaluable services to mother Ghana and informed them that he was relieving them of their appointments with effect from Wednesday 28^th January 2009.

The main newspapers – Daily Graphic, Daily Guide and Ghanaian Times-among others carried the story. Thereafter, all the other heads of the Security Services were changed one after the other.

Important heads of other state institutions were also changed. For instance the then Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the National Investment Bank, Mr. Gyimah, a brother of Mrs. Cecilia Johnson (wife of Colonel Johnson) was arrested by the BNI, relieved of his post and taken through very unorthodox methods of trial (close to trial by ordeal) in very humiliating and undemocratic ways.

In March 2009, all the Service Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces, including Rear Admiral Sampana Nuno, who was made to act as the CDS, when General JB Danquah was retired on 28^th January 2009. Thus, General SA Odefei, the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Sampana Nuno, Chief of Naval Staff and Acting CDS and Air Vice Marshal JO Boateng, Chief of Air Staff were retired.

In May 2009 and thereafter, the Commandants MATS, GAFCSC and Kofi Annan were also retired. The Commandants were Major General KA Abdulai (GH/1205) (MATS), Major General RE Baiden (GH/1260) (GAFCSC) and Major General JK Attipoe (GH/1247). In their places were appointed Rear Admiral MM Tahiru (GH/1435) Commandant MATS, Major General K Yankson (GH/1339) Commandant GAFCSC and Air Vice Marshal CEK Dovlo (GH/1592) as Commandant KAIPTC.

Major General CS Modey (GH/1434) who was the Force Commander in Liberia was later appointed the Commissioner for Customs, Excise and Preventive Service.

Earlier on in March 2009, then Brigadier General PA Blay (GH/1398) serving as Ghana’s Defence Adviser in Abuja, Nigeria, was appointed the Chief of Defence Staff to take over from Rear Admiral ARS Numo (GH/1303).

Brigadier General JN Adinkrah (GH/1446) was appointed the Chief of Army Staff. Naval Commodore M Quashie (GH/1509), the Chief of Naval Staff and Air Commodore M Samson-Oje (GH/1779), the Chief of Air Staff. The four of them were promoted to the rank of Major Generals and its equipment in the Navy and Airforce, Rear Admiral and Air Vice Marshal respectively.

Commodore GM Biekro (GH/1668) was appointed the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters to coordinate affairs for all the three services.

In May 2009, several major appointments, postings and promotions were effected in the Ghana Armed Forces. The General Officers Commanding (GOCs) the Northern and Southern Commands were changed. So also were the Departmental Heads (Director Generals, Directors) Defence Advisers and Commanding Officers changed.

For instance, Brigadier General MGK Ahiaglo (GH/1628) was appointed the GOC for Southern Command, thereby cutting short his appointment as the first Defence Adviser for Adis Ababa, Ethiopia established by President John Kufour. Then Colonel R Opoku-Adusei (GH/2127) was appointed GOC Northern Command and promoted Brigadier General subsequently.

Then Colonel SM Adams (GH/1782) was appointed the Military Secretary in place of Commodore TS Appiah (GH/1555). Brigadier General CK Ocran (GH/1516) lost his appointment as the Director General Defence Intelligence and in his place was appointed F Iddrisu (GH/1760).

Colonel Y Nyamekye-Yeboah (GH/1678) took over as the Defence Financial Controller from Brigadier General EQ Seppey (GH/1278).

Brigadier General EC Quist (GH/1515) was appointed the Director General Personnel Administration in place of Commodore CEK Dovlo who had been appointed Commandant KAIPTC.

Several other postings and appointments were made at the General Headquarters such that no officer holding an appointment as a Director General or Director, with the exception of EWK Nibo who maintained his position as Director of Public Relations under the regime of President JA Kufour remained in his appointment. 

 

Changes were also made in the Navy and the Airforce. New Base Commanders were appointed for the Navy and the Airforce. Thus, new FOCs, Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command were appointed. A new Chief of Staff and new Directors were appointed to man the Naval Headquarters.

Similarly, new Base Commanders were appointed for Airforce Base Accra, Airforce Base Tamale and Airforce Base Takoradi. A new Chief Staff Officer and new Directors for the various Air Force Directorates were appointed.

Commanding Officers for the “seaworthy” and other ships were appointed for the Navy. Other appointments for the Logistics and Technical Divisions of the Navy were also appointed. The story was the same for the Airforce. The Wings and the Squadtrons were all given new Commanding Officers and Officers Commanding.

It was clear from the postings started in January and February and reinforced in May 2009 that a “new era had come” The new era did not want to leave anything to chance.

With Lieutenant Colonel AK Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd) in charge as the National Security Coordinator, Air Vice Marshal CEK Dovlo as Commandant of KAIPTC, Commodore GM Biekro as the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Ahiaglo as General Officer Commanding  Southern Command, Colonel SM Adams as Military Secretary, Colonel F Iddrisu as Director General (DI) and Captain(GN) M Beick-Baffour as the Deputy Military Secretary, that stage had been set for the NDC “Think Tank” and strategists to “rule” the Ghana Armed Forces.

Colonels Adokpa, Nutakor, EMK Yeboah, Mishio, Tetteh-Akunor, CK Debrah, Lawson, Naval Captains FK Eshun, Wotordzor, Osei-Kuffour, Group Captains Komla, Nagai, Ayamgha, Evans, Dzokoto, Nyadodui, Lieutenant Colonels Alloh, Adeti, Fiawoo, Asamoah Yeboah, Ayer, Nyaka, Commanders Lovi, Wing Commanders Dzamefe and Wayoe and several other officers of the “Agbadza and Batakari fraternities, postings, appointments and promotions were effected to reflect the new realities in a manner that some concerned officers and men felt were relics of military regimes of the AFRC and PNDC era and not “Constitutional Rule” headed by a Professor of Law.

PACOM wants the current NPP Administration to also demonstrate that there has been a major and a real change in the Administration of Ghana, the Public Administration System and the Security Services.

The “business as usual” is a source of worry to the members of PACOM. Members of PACOM are not comfortable with the styles adapted by Albert Kan-Dapaah and Brigadier General E Okyere (Rtd). The two “Security Bosses” (Minister for National Security and National Security Adviser) are fast becoming unpopular with members of PACOM and the Security Services in generals.

Certainly PACOM is not demanding “tit for tat” but PACOM wants effective reasonable changes that would enable the promises and manifesto provisions of the NPP to be fulfilled. The NPP promised jobs, equity, justice, rule of law, probity, accountability, fight against corruption and misuse of public purse.

It is in the light of these promises and the fact that a lot of the very senior officers who have been maintained in their pre 7^th January 2017 positions or have been given yet very attractive and juicy posts after 7^th January 2017 that members of the PACOM are getting agitated and anxious about the developments in the various public sectors especially public safety and security.

Security matters are not to be toyed with. Loyalty is an extremely important character trait required in the appointment of persons especially officers, to sensitive positions.

NEVER SHOULD PRETENDERS AND HYPOCRITES BE ALLOWED TO OCCUPY POSITIONS FOR COLONELS, BRIGADIER GENERALS, MAJOR GENERALS AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT EVEN LIEUTENANT COLONELS IN COMMAND AND STAFF APPOINTMENTS MUST BE TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, DEDICATED AND SELFLESS. 

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING IN THE GHANA ARMED FORCES, POLICE SERVICE, IMMIGRATION SERVICE, FIRE SERVICE, PRISONS SERVICE, GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY (CEPS DIVISION)? 

THE ANSWER IS NO.

CRIMINALLY MINDED PERSONS WHO HAVE AMASSED WEALTH BELONGING TO THE STATE (AS MEMBERS OF THE CREATE, LOOT AND SHARE BRIGADE) ARE STILL ENJOYING THEIR BOOTY. THE SAD ASPECT OF THE “INJUSTICE” IS THAT THESE PERSONS HAVE USED AND ARE STILL USING THEIR ILL-GOTTEN MONEY TO INFLUENCE SOME KEY MEMBERS OF THE NPP ADMINISTRATION.

SOME OF THE REVELATIONS ARE DISGUSTING, APPEALING, UNACCEPTABLE AND SHAMEFUL. 

So the likes of Brigadier General AK Dzisi have managed to penetrate the “integrity” doors of the Flagstaff House and are now bragging that they are untouchable.

Our sources at the Flagstaff House have confirmed that Brigadier General AK Dzisi has visited the Flagstaff House and has been “assured” by “those who matter” that in spite of the calls by personnel of the Pay Corps and most officers and men of BURMA CAMP and Accra Garrison he is going nowhere and is staying at post till age catches up with him.

Cry Our Cry Please (1)

The overwhelming euphoria that greeted the victory of the powerful and attractive duo of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the various barracks is gradually but incrementally turning into despondency, despair and uncertainly.

The vim and zeal with which most soldiers, policemen, firemen, prisons officers, immigration officers, customs officers, operatives of the BNI and National Security Secretariat voted for change massively expecting in return “recognition”, “rewards” and reversal of the old order of hatred, victimization, harassment, inequity and injustice are slowly but surely evaporating into the air.

To most of these ardent supporters for change and the NPP, “baboons” worked hard to ensure victory for the NPP but “monkeys” are reaping from where they sowed nothing. Most these persons who are members of the Patriotic Concerned Officers and Men (PACOM) are extremely worried about the developments in our communities.

PACOM has come to the realization that owing to the cosmetic changes in and maintenance of the top hierarchies of the security services, it appears and in fact it is the situation that, the known NDC activists are now enjoying more than expected and in most cases are lording it over their NPP counterparts.

By the cosmetic changes made so far and the inertia at most of the top hierarchies of the security services, the capacities and power bases of the known, vociferous and shameless NDC members have been strengthened.

Officers and men of the NDC continuing in their appointments or shifted to equally attractive positions, posts and appointments are victimizing and ridiculing their colleagues who were ardent supporters of the NPP and played very useful roles to ensure the return of the “Elephant”.

Officers and men of the NDC in sensitive appointments are provoking and mocking at members or sympathizers of the NPP. Some of the NDC officers and men are making the lives of these NPP sympathizers very uncomfortable. With the least opportunity, the NDC members want to show their NPP counterparts where real power lies.

Members of PACOM are unnecessarily being targeted by their NDC “superiors”. There are so many reported cases of NPP sympathizers being “charged” for various “service offences” with flimsy excuses under bizarre circumstances.

A lot of NPP men are undergoing various punishments by way of “extra duty” under harsh conditions, loss of seniority, denial of promotions, denial of participation in peace support operations and denial of participation in any assignments, duty or task that may be attractive, lucrative, professionally rewarding or challenging capable of enhancing their abilities, competences and skills.

Paradoxically, it is the known activists and members of the NDC who are flying very high with juicy appointments thereby “teasing” their NPP colleagues.

For instance, most of the military, police and BNI officers and men at the Flagstaff House (Jubilee House) are NDC sympathizers. Instead of accepting and forwarding the names of the NPP sympathizers, “the entrenched and confirmed” NDC superiors, commanders and chiefs in the various services decided to “push” their own  people into the Presidency thereby filling vacancies that could and should have been filled by the NPP sympathizers.

Bodyguards, drivers, cooks and relatives of some of the former “Top Officers and Men” of the Security Services are now comfortably operating and working at the Flagstaff House, the National Security Secretariat (National, Regional and District Levels) and at Castle.

Some of these “risky elements” are part of the VVIP and VIP Protection Units. Some of them are driving these VVIPs and VIPs. Others are part of even the “Close Protection” Teams. Apart from the potential physical danger that they pose, these “elements” are vital sources of intelligence for the NDC. Vital documents, audio and video recordings are being given to the NDC on regular basis.

The alleged beating of a police officer by some “security” personnel at the Flagstaff House got leaked to the NDC and media houses by the “unkind courtesy” of some of these NDC risky elements who had and still have access to the security devices at the Flagstaff House.

Can we be safe at the Flagstaff House, when known activists and members of the NDC are still in charge in certain locations and places?

How on earth can a former Chief of Staff and the current Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces place a Corporal in the guardroom of the Military Police for over one week on suspicion that he is a member of the NPP and therefore might have leaked information on the military preparations, planned operations and relevant documents to the NPP during the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections? 

Assuming, without admitting that the allegation is true, does it not suggest that the NDC is still in control of affairs in the military?

How on earth can a “loyal Chief of Staff” appointed by the NPP Administration allow such a stupid and reckless action of an extremely arrogant, over ambitiously treacherous and wicked former Chief of Staff to go unnoticed?

Several Commanding Officers of units, Officers Commanding of sub-units, Commanders Rear of Units, Base Commanders of the Air Force and Navy are still in charge and are making life very uncomfortable for those they now perceive as “traitors” instead of being recognized as heroes and heroines under the NPP Administration.

Can we not draw an analogy between what happens after electoral victory to what happens after a successful coup d’état? Coup d’états are primarily unlawful or unacceptable behaviour in democracies. But they remain so only when the coup d’état fails. Any time there is a successful coup d’état, the illegality becomes legalized through the Proclamations, Decrees and Laws that are passed by the “New Order”.

Consequently, what originally was an aberration become the acceptable norm and the order of the day. Similarly, all members of the Security Services are required to be loyal to the incumbent government and therefore Security personnel are expected to show “absolute loyalty” to the Ruling Government.

Any signs of disloyalty may therefore attract “notice or enquiry” and appropriate consequential “reactions” if the incumbent government secures victory. But when an incumbent government loses elections so miserably and abysmally, as happened in 2016, does it not justify the support that members of the security services gave to the Opposition Party which has now become the “Ruling Government”? 

Does the previously considered unacceptable behavior not become a lawful, legitimate, heroic and courageous behavior as successful architects of coup d’états become?

Was it not the successful coup d’états of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) that made Jerry Rawlings a hero in Ghana? 

Was the 15^th May 1979 attempted coup of the same Jerry Rawlings not considered as a treasonable offence attracting a Court Martial Trial?

We are therefore appealing to the beneficiaries of NPP appointments, especially the respective Heads of the various security services, to recognize that fact in order to “cry the cry” of the gallant, heroic and courageous members of PACOM who contributed immensely towards the success story of the duo of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and the NPP.

Thus, members of PACOM are demanding that “cry our cry” but “do not cry the cry of John Mahama and his NDC” who created, looted and shared the resources of Ghana in an unprecedented manner.

PACOM says “cry our cry” but do not cry for the former service chiefs and the others who are still clinging onto power by the magnanimity of Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP Administration.

Several heads of state institutions, including the security services, are still at post to the annoyance of most concerned NPP members, loyalists and supports because of the way these very senior public officials behaved during the NDC era.

If these heads of state institutions had behaved professionally without any forms of discrimination and biases in favour of or against any group, members of PACOM would have had no problems or would not have any problems with them. It is the unprofessional attitude, arrogance and flagrant show of power which characterized the conduct, behavior and operations of these very senior public officers, especially those in the security services, which have created fear, anxiety and suspicion between them and the concerned rank and file and members of PACOM.

In the military, for instance, all the Commanding Officers of the Army Units are still at post. Most of the Commanding Officers of Army Battalions and Regiments were specially selected by the NDC on their membership of and loyalty to the NDC.

Most of them were briefed on how to assist the NDC to be declared winners of the 2016 elections. The situation was therefore created for them to have unfettered powers and authority to deal with any opposition (mainly the NPP) challenges and threats. That may explain why Lieutenant Colonel Awarbey, Commanding Officer of 3 Infantry Battalion and the Police Regional Commander at Sunyani condoned all the atrocities and harassments meted out to the NPP parliamentary candidates in the Ahafo and other Areas of Brong Ahafo Region.

Similar things were done in some other Regions such as Ashanti, Western, Central and Eastern Regions of Ghana by some Commanding Officers, Officers Commanding, Platoon Commanders, Sergeant-Majors, Senior NCOs and others.

Similar operations were conducted in various parts of the country by security commanders of the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana National Fire Service, Prisons Service and the Ghana Police Service.

Most of these security commanders openly supported the NDC and spoke very unkind and harsh words against the then presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Akuffo-Addo.

For instance, then Lieutenant Colonels and now Colonels Salifu and Gbetanu Commanding Officers 4 Infantry Battalion and 5 Infantry Battalion respectively openly at durbars with troops in Kumasi and Burma Camp openly insulted the current President of the Republic of Ghana.

These two Colonels were alleged to have indicated that Nana Akufo-Addo was vertically handicapped, too old and lacked ideas to rule Ghana. They were advising troops under their command to vote for John Mahama who they claimed had real plans to equip and resource the Ghana Armed Forces. Then Lieutenant Colonel SWK Parbey cast similar insinuations against the current President in the run-off to the 2012 elections as the Commanding Officer of the 4 Infantry Battalion, Kumasi.

Most of the officers who were and still are dyed supporters of the NDC made disparaging remarks about then Presidential Candidate of the NPP with impurity at various military official and non-official Rendez-Vous.

In very recent times, Lieutenant Colonel Asia, then Commander of Ghana’s 4^th Engineer Company in Mali and Captain AKB Vovobu openly insulted the current President, who was then the NPP 

Presidential Candidate, in Mali. Even after Nana Akufo-Addo had been declared winner of the 2016 Presidential elections, the two officers (Lieutenant Colonel Asia and Captain AKB Vovobu) continued insulting the President-elect in the Mission Area.

Colonels Gagakuma and Ntem are also alleged to have made very uncomplimentary comments about the President.

Lieutenant Colonel Merdiemah, who is currently at the Department of Defence Intelligence, is also alleged to have made very reckless and unhelpful statements about the President.

Our source have hinted us that most of these “Against Officers” are being considered for appointments as Commanding Officers of 49 Engineer Regiment and 3 Infantry Battalion respectively while Colonel Gagakuma is to take over from Colonel Agyarkwa as Director Supply and Transport.

These are some of the worries of the members of PACOM. The question agitating the minds of our PACOM friends is that known disloyal senior officers are being sent to sensitive commands and appointments in the Ghana Armed Forces while those considered to be very loyal have either been ignored or marginalized.

Members of PACOM are expecting that absolute or clear loyalty to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and the NPP Administration would be one of the major criteria for the appointment of Commanding Officers. It may not be enough to appoint persons on professional competence and merit. Loyalty may have to take precedence over only professional competence.

It is argued by members of PACOM that Majors and very Junior Lieutenant Colonels who are very loyal may be preferred over Senior Lieutenant Colonels.

Members of PACOM are equally worried over the officers and men at the Department of Defence Intelligence. Most, if not all, of the officers and men currently at GHQ (DI) are dyed in wool members or supporters of the NDC. The Komlagas, Salifus and Mustaphas are certainly very loyal members of the NDC and should be posted out of GHQ (DI) as a matter of urgency. Other officers and men with GHQ (DI) must be posted out for seemingly very loyal ones to be appointed in their places.

As long as the disloyal officers and men are kept at the Defence Intelligence, the NPP Administration and the Military High Command risk having all sorts of sabotaging activities. Military secrets and confidential matters will be at mercy of these NDC members and sympathizers.

His Excellency the President of the Republic and the NPP should not forget that the NDC is preparing feverishly to recapture power in 2020.