64th Republic anniversary public lecture!

On Monday, July 1, 2024, Ghana’s 64th anniversary as a Republic, the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in collaboration with the One Ghana Movement, hosted a Public Lecture on the topic “Reflections on the Democratic Control over the Military: A Way Forward for Sustainability,” at GAFCSC, Teshie. 

The function was attended by the Chief Justice, parliamentarians, the top brass of the Ghana-Armed-Forces (GAF), retired generals/senior officers of GAF, traditional leaders, cross-section of society and students of the Senior Division of GAFCSC.

The lecturer/main-speaker was Mr Francis Poku (Esq), a former National Security Minister. Prof Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and Ms Josephine Nkrumah (Esq), ECOWAS Resident-Representative based in Liberia, were the reviewers.

The function which was chaired by the Minister for Defence had as the MC/Moderator Bernard Avle of Channel-One-FM/Citi-FM.

Lectures

Starting proceedings on a very frank note, Mr Poku submitted that Ghanaians were increasingly losing confidence in the democracy being practised in Ghana.

After emphasising the importance of the Preamble of the 1992 Constitution and its reference to the importance of God in our lives as a nation which should unify us, he observed a general disenchantment by the citizenry because of corruption, “galamsey,” unemployment and general social malaise borne out of economic hardship. 

He stated that in the mid-1970s, as the National Security boss in the Greater-Accra Region, he predicted that, if things did not change for the better, an upheaval was inevitable.

Three years after his prediction, June 4th happened in 1979. Drawing a parallel between events leading to his prediction in the 1970s and events now, he opined that, unless things changed in 2025, he foresaw a similar scenario unfold.

He made reference to ongoing events in Kenya with the youth, Generation Z (Gen Z) demonstrating their pent-up anger against the government. He also underscored the importance of a values-system, ensuring accountability which should underpin morality in our national discourse, and concluded by asking Ghanaians to have hope, as without it, there was no basis for life.

Prof Aning reminded the MPs to “up their game” in their oversight responsibility to keep the Executive on track. He reminded them that the authority vested in them called for integrity/honesty/positive attitude and proving their ability to deliver.

He asked them to eschew arrogance, and taking voters for granted. He described “galamsey” as the “single most-important existential-threat to Ghana” which must be addressed head-on. 

Ms Nkrumah opined that, the NCCE had contributed immensely in support of the Constitution though not very visibly, in cementing Ghana’s Fourth Republic as the longest so far, despite limited resources.

Interestingly, two days after the lecture, an MP who was in Kenya and saw the uprising, advised his colleagues not to be insensitive to signals of unhappiness of the masses, as the Kenyan uprising did not happen overnight.

It was Parliament’s presentation of the insensitive Tax-Bill for presidential approval that broke the camel’s back. Issues of health, corruption, “galamsey” etc must therefore be addressed urgently. 

Rejoining to that, citing the ideal in the developed world, an MP stated there were legal ways of seeking redress, and not by destroying state property, a statement Kenyan youth would have found distasteful.

 Although President Ruto also knows what happens in the developed world, he has humbly apologised to Kenyans and made changes, including freezing MPs’ pay-rise, and cancellation of allowances for first and second ladies!

Discussion

Listening to the speakers’/audience contributions, my mind went into space as I mused over discussions on the impunity, arrogance, disrespect, and unkind language by some of those in power/authority.

On why the military is not represented/contribute directly to politics, my mind raced back to a quote by the last British CDS of GAF in his 1961 book titled “The African Tightrope.” He wrote;

“Ghana will regret the day the army enters politics, or politics enter the army!”    

My mind also went to the Military Honour Code of Field-Martial Chetwode (1869-1950). Inaugurating the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on 10th December 1932, the British Chief-of-General-Staff of the Indian Army, Field-Marshal Philip Chetwode, first used these words. They have subsequently been adopted and adapted by Commonwealth Militaries as the “Chetwode Motto.”

“1. The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.

2. The Honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.

3. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

In Ghana, notwithstanding our chequered history, the military remains a respected institution internationally. Indeed, it is opined that, if the military is left to self-regulate without any political interference, it would be a better institution.

Some touted the current highly educated Military Ghana has, and the need for mutual respect in discussing the democratic control of the Military by Civil Authority.
Indeed, if all MPs/DCEs did a three-month basic military training before starting their Parliamentary/District duties, discipline would be instilled in them in Public Speaking, Respect for subordinates etc.

 This will have a cumulative trickle-down-effect on Ghanaians. Proponents cite as examples Scandinavian countries like Norway/Sweden where military training is part of compulsory National Service.

Finally, while discussing subordinating Military to Civil control, in the words of American President J.F. Kennedy, “If a free society cannot protect the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich,” as Kenya demonstrates.

Congratulations to GAFCSC and One Ghana Movement for successfully hosting the 64th Ghana Republic Day Public Lecture on 1st July 2024. Leadership, lead by Example! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!

The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association Nairobi, Kenya, Council Chairman
Family Health University College, Accra
dkfrimpong@yahoo.com