Stop associating Ghana Armed Forces with anything that has potential of heightening political tension - GAF to IDEG boss

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has reacted to a statement by Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), indicating that the GAF has threatened to take control of the country if elections turns out violent beyond the control of the Ghana Police Service.

"We wish to draw attention of the public that GAF will only support the Ghana Police when the latter request for assistance and that does not constitute an overthrow of a government," a press release dated August 23, 2024 issued by Brigadier General E. Aggrey Quashie, Director of Public Relations at the GAF stated.

What Emmanuel Akwetey said

Dr Emmanuel Akwetey in an interview with Joy News had stated: "the Armed Forces of Ghana since 2016 have clearly, openly, press conferences threatened that look, if violence breaks out in the country over election disputes or whatever and the police cannot deal with it and it is escalating or spreading, they will step in. And they [GAF] said if they did so, it is will be to protect the territorial integrity, our peace and the nation, national unity. That will be a coup because the police can't deal with nationwide violence, they are not equipped for that.

"But two, it is not about parliamentary elections, it is about our presidential election because the president is elected throughout the country. And they have said that a second time in 2020 and probably the third time, they've even started talking about it so early, read the [news] papers and you will see, the threat is real in a sub region where there is a drift towards military or the return of military government and ECOWAS is in some challenge in dealing with this issue," .Dr Akwatey said the Joy News interview.

Ghana Armed Forces response

Responding to Dr Akwetey's statement, the Ghana Armed Forces said it has no intention of staging a coup and have not conducted any meetings regarding such actions.

“The allegation by Dr Akwetey cannot be true because the Ghana Armed Forces has not held any press conference at which it declared its intention to take over the country. We wish to make it clear that GAF has no intention to stage a coup and will prevent and resist any individual, group or organisation seeking to take over unlawfully the power of government either acting alone or in collaboration with any security agency," the statement read.

GAF also called on civil society groups and the media to avoid using its name to escalate political tension in the country and reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Ghana's democracy.

“GAF wishes to call on civil society groups and the media to desist from using its name to heighten political tension in the country. We wish to urge all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that all citizens feel free and safe to undertake their lawful activities in an atmosphere of tranquility."

“GAF, like all peace-loving institutions and individuals, is looking forward to peaceful elections come December 2024. We therefore call on all institutions and groups not to associate GAF with anything that has the potential of heightening political tension in the country,” it concluded.

Attached below is a copy of the GAF:

REJOINDER: 2024 ELECTION: THE THREAT OF A COUP IS REAL; THE ARMY HAS OPENLY SAID IT WOULD STEP IN IF THERE IS VIOLENCE - IDEG BOSS

The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been drawn to a publication on Ghanaweb attributed to the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey on Thursday 22 August 2024.
Dr Akwetey is alleged to have said GAF has threatened to take over control of the country that if elections in the country turns out violent beyond the control of the Ghana Police Service at Press conferences held in 2016 and 2020. We wish to draw the attention of the public that GAF will only support the Ghana Police when the latter request for assistance and that does not constitute an overthrow of a government.
The allegation by Dr Akwetey cannot be true because the Ghana Armed Forces has not held any press conference at which it declared its intention to take over the country. We wish to make it clear that GAF has no intention to stage a coup and will prevent and resist any individual, group or organisation seeking to take over unlawfully the power of government either acting alone or in collaboration with any security agency.
GAF wishes to call on civil society groups and the media to desist from using its name to heighten political tension in the country. We wish to urge all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that all citizens feel free and safe to undertake their lawful activities in an atmosphere of tranquility.
GAF, like all peace-loving institutions and individuals, is looking forward to peaceful elections come December 2024. We therefore call on all institutions and groups not to associate GAF with anything that has the potential of heightening political tension in the country.