Two top security analysts have backed the appointment of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) boss, Yaw Donkor, as Ghana’s new National Security Coordinator.
Both Emmanuel Bombande of the West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) and Dr. Kwesi Anning of the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Center believe the new National Security Chief, who is expected to take office from May 12, 2014, has the needed qualities and qualification to execute his mandate.
On Tuesday, an official government statement announced “changes at the National Security Council Secretariat.”
“Mr. Yaw Donkor, BNI Director, has been appointed Acting National Security Coordinator,” Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga, said in a government statement.
The Minister’s statement named “Mr. Pious Awelinga as the Acting Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).”
Speaking to Citi News, the Executive Director of the West African Network for Peace Building, Emmanuel Bombande, welcomed Yaw Donkor’s elevation to the position of National Security Chief.
“I know Yaw Donkor to be a very steady and solid person,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with him at the time that he was responsible for one of the bureaus of the ECOWAS Early Warning System and I have no doubt he will continue the good work that Lt. Col. [Gbevlo-Lartey] has done over the years.”
Mr. Bombande added, “Yaw Donkor would do a very good job. Ghana would continue to be stable and all of us would continue to be proud that we are truly a peaceful and stable country.”
On a separate radio station, Security Analyst, Dr. Kwesi Anning, also hailed Yaw Donkor’s appointment.
“Yaw Donkor believes in the democratic principles that govern intelligence gathering and the use of that intelligence. He is a long time operative with firm hands on [the] wheel and he likes a robust conversation,” he told Accra-based Joy FM.
Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey’s removal came over a month after the former head of 64 Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces sparked a blaze of public anger after he ordered the demolition of a toll booth under construction at the Okponglo entrance of the University of Ghana, Legon.
Hours after the demolition exercise, Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey went on radio to defend the removal of the toll booth, calling the uncompleted structure a “public nuisance”.
Although some Ghanaians supported his action, others, including officials of the University, condemned the demolition exercise as “unlawful.”
On March 25, 2014, a group of concerned Ghanaians sent a signed petition to President John Mahama, asking him to remove Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey from office.
Tuesday’s statement by Mahama Ayariga said, “At a meeting with Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, the President commended and thanked him for his loyalty and dedicated service to the State. He will be assigned to other duties after his well-deserved leave.”
By Martin Asiedu-Dartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana