The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says he welcomes any military man who wants to enter into the realm of politics in the country.
But in doing so, he said the soldier must first resign his or post to become a civilian since military rule has no place in a democratic world.
According to President Akufo-Addo, an important ingredient in a functioning military in a democracy is to ensure that the military is insulated from politics.
“We must all be grateful to the Almighty that there is now a firm and widespread consensus in our country that the military takes its powers from the elected civilian government,” he noted.
It is for this reason, the President stressed, that all Ghanaians must guard against the politicization of the military by political parties.
“To borrow a term from a famous British Prime Minister, the greasy pole of politics has no place and should not have any place in the military. We do not want NPP soldiers, nor do we want NDC soldiers. We want Ghanaian soldiers, who will serve any government, duly elected by the Ghanaian people, with equal zeal and loyalty,” he added.
To those in the military who want to do politics, you are very welcome, but please remember first to take off your uniforms and lay down your state-issued arms.”
President Akufo-Addo made this known when he held his maiden durbar, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, with officers and other ranks of the Armed Forces.
Touching on the current realities of everyday life and the role of technology, he noted that it is a salutary lesson that all public officials are learning that there are not many private spaces in the world these days.
“The ubiquitous smart phone means that your every word and your every action is likely to be recorded for broadcast. Members of the military would do well also to remember this,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo also urged the hierarchy of the military to review constantly some of the practices that used to define the military.
“What would have passed for and been acceptable as rough language and punishment is intolerable in today’s world, and should be discarded, no matter how attractive it might have been in a bygone era.
The reality of social media must always be kept in mind and ways to adapt found, rather than hark to the old days when the affairs of the barracks were kept strictly in the barracks,” he added.
Source: kasapafmonline.com
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simply put, if not for gabby and asante bediatuo, nana would have been one of the best presidents in Ghana rating DR NKRUMAH, KUFFOUR , HE & MR RAWLINGS. such words are straight words to the command, i like his boldness and if the military itself will be democratic, no government will appoint command for them neither give them quota of their party faithfuls, it sadden me times when i see a soldier or police less than 3 feet and weigh less than 40kg holding gun and with a uniform, i ask maself and who employed or recruited him, though we may not be huge like in the days of old, at less professionalism and the basic military ethics if been applied, wouldnt have recruited such., security and economy are the most important sectors in africa and it rules all the other sectors or ministries and wish the COMMAND will work swiftly as the president has said and chase nthe face of GHANA ARMY. above all, i wish the president changes his security team is the command cant be change as he is the only Ghanaian president with the WEAKEST security team. combine his security ministers and appointees as well the IGP, i see the security as his weakest sector so far, i dont know of the military but with ma uncle within the military not to insult the police, i think the military has a well organised structures and no matter what the president chooses as his CDS, the oyther senior ranks are respected equally. think of the police, once the IGP is appointed, times foo.lish appointments are made to change command and the seniors are notb respected, if the police will learn from the military that no matter the choice of the president, other seniors not appointed must be respected equally., i dont think sophia will disrespect atuguba so why apeatu to kofi boakye. if we have bit of intelligence in the service, at least kofi boakye would have been dispatched to denkyira boase to command the area, make sanity there but though i percieve kofi to be NDC and same the IGP may think, it must not affect the talent and endowed abilities of kofi in the police service. let the words of the president change the face of ghana security, judiciary and shape the media for if we build a good ghana, the us , uk, european embassies here will be MUSEUM