A security analyst is doubting the authenticity of the circular alleging government’s intention to make changes in the military hierarchy to terrorise people in the December polls.
Colonel Festus Boahen Aboagye (Rtd), a Conflict and Security analyst, says the circular which is sourced from social media could be fake, adding that it is possible it emanated from the Presidency.
According to the man who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya (2013 – 17), there are several channels the government could have adopted to handle the issue rather than issuing a statement.
He told TV3’s Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight Thursday, December 04, 2024, that, “in this era, it is possible that the letter to which the Office responded even emanated from within those circles, from government. It’s possible. So government should have used other channels and I’ve suggested the commentators on different platforms –radio and TV –and even on social media, use the commentators to debunk the content of the letter and not [to respond to] that letter from social media without a letter head.
Col. Aboagye added that “their approach does not address the content of the communication on social media and then the repudiations in the letter from the President’s office.”
He has therefore described the response from the Office of the President as unnecessary.
“I don’t think it was necessary for the Office of the President ti have issued this letter. Whatever was circulating on social media which was not on the 2nd (Jan 2, 2024) but dating back to sometime last year when there had been speculations that some changes were about to take place. And even in mainstream media there were arguments that the replacement of the CDS and any affected service, they should take place last year to allow enough time for the new appointees to settle down on their commitments.
“So, social media communication is just social media communication. You cannot even be sure of the source,” he said.
Background
The Office of the President denied allegations that the presidency intends to make changes in the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces to infiltrate it with persons aligned to the NPP to perpetuate its agenda in the December 7 polls.
The Presidency says even though there has been a meeting, however, it is an annual ritual the President does with the security agencies at the beginning of each year, and has nothing to do with terrorising people in the December polls as being speculated.
In a statement issued Thursday, January 04, 2024, and signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, it said the meeting did not have an agenda to use the military to brutalise citizens in the December elections to have their way.
The statement asked the public to treat the matter with the contempt it deserves.
“The Office of the President has taken note of a publication on social media alleging a deliberate attempt by the Presidency to orchestrate politically motivated changes within
the hierarchy of the Armed Forces, with the sole aim of using the Military to brutalise
citizens during the conduct of the December 7 general elections.
“The publication alleges further that a meeting was held at the Presidency on Tuesday,
2nd January 2024, to discuss the so-called politically-motivated changes in the Ghana
Armed Forces.
“Indeed, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, held a meeting with Heads of Security agencies at Jubilee House on 2nd January 2024, a meeting which has become an annual feature on the President’s calendar at the beginning of the New Year.
“At these meetings, the Heads of Security agencies call on the President to offer him their best wishes for the coming year, with the President also using the opportunity to express his appreciation to them for their continued commitment to safeguarding the peace and stability of the nation. Contrary to the allegations made in the publication on social media, no such discussions about changes to the hierarchy of the Armed Forces were held during the meeting,” the statement explained in detail.
The statement further indicated that any changes that occur in the military is in accordance with the constitution and has no political connotations as being speculated.
“It is imperative to note that a change in the leadership of the Armed Forces is embarked upon by the President in accordance with the Constitution and well-established conventions, devoid of any political considerations. Any future change made in this regard will not be a new phenomenon that should warrant unfounded speculations,” he noted.
The statement concluded that “in the interest of safeguarding the peace and stability of Ghana, the public is urged to disregard such unfounded speculations and publications aimed at triggering agitations within the rank and file of the Armed Forces.”
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