Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah served as Chief of Defence Staff under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council government in 1979, but was relieved of his post.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DKlRe71BmZj3M7dogLJ1dSeT0bGZ1uAt”]Following the revolution however, he was appointed to serve under the PNDC regime, led by Jerry John Rawlings, a position he left after some differences with the then Head of State.

According to Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah, who was speaking at the third event in the Accra Dialogue series at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Law Faculty on Wednesday, it should be possible for the heads of these crucial institutions to serve across different administrations in spite of whichever political party is in power, as he had done.

“President Rawlings was a good friend of mine, but I resigned from the government and left on principle. You must have something to believe in; be principled, and when those principles are challenged, stand on your feet. Here in Ghana, every President who comes fires the old one and brings in a new one. We’re Ghanaians, I’ve served in every government – in CPP, in the NPP and the NDC. I’m a patriot and a nationalist, why can’t I serve any other government?” he quizzed.

He believes that the practice of replacing officials like the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) whenever a new party comes into power was an unfortunate one that needs to be stopped.

“It’s wrong for us to come in and change IGPs and CDSs. They can overlap because we’re Ghanaians so who says that after serving in the previous NDC government, I can’t serve the NPP as well? I was Nana Addo’s closest friend in 1998, his campaign manager, so why can’t I serve NPP? I can serve anybody. I am a Ghanaian, and a patriot and I love my country. We shouldn’t be toying with our leaders, whether it’s the IGP or someone else. It’s wrong for you to come in and fire them, it doesn’t speak well of the country. They should also stand on their feet and go after anyone who does wrong, whether it’s NPP or the NDC.”

Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah called on persons appointed IGPs and CDSs to be more assertive and “stand their ground” whenever they are asked to compromise their principles.

He stated that, his refusal to settle on compromises while serving in successive administrations cost him his position, an action he does not regret.

“I’ve been fired twice already as Chief of Defense Staff and that’s why experience is always the best teacher. I’m asking the IGPs and the CDSs to be tough, but when you are tough, there’ll be consequences. Be prepared to stand on your feet. I was in the school which trained Winston Churchill and we were taught to be tough and principled. That’s what our leaders should be,” he noted.

“If you are a military man, or an IGP, you know your job. I was fired as CDS because I wouldn’t take anything because I was a principled person. The President then couldn’t take my principled position and fired me but I didn’t bother.”

The current IGP, COP David Asante-Apeatu and CDS, Major General Obed Akwa, were appointed by the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government after the previous occupants of the position who had been appointed under the previous administration retired.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stop sacking IGPs, CDSs after change in gov’ts – Nunoo-Mensah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the court, the ex-servicemen were unable to convince it beyond reasonable doubt why they were entitled to gratuities beyond what they received.

The ex-servicemen, who were recruited between 1988 and 1989, had served the country for well over 25 years before they commenced their terminal leave in December 2014.

In their case before the court, the ex-officers sought a declaration that deductions made by the CDS on their end-of-service benefits were unlawful.

They also wanted an order to be directed at the CDS and the A-G, forcing them to pay the deductions made on their entitlements as approved by the government.

They further prayed the court to compel the CDS to pay interests on the amounts deducted from their entitlements, as well as other costs, including legal fees.

Joined to the action was the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Court dismisses ex-military officers’ case against CDS appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The soldiers had earlier called for a total boycott of anti lumbering and anti galamsey operations, during a meeting between the hierarchy of the Armed Forces and the officers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xanmI95KEV0cdYLJ7YXwS2G5vRb2zYX6″]But in an interview with Citi News, Colonel Quarshie indicated that, the military is expected to pursue the fight against Galamsey even under unfavourable conditions, since they had taken an oath before they were employed.

“You are doing a job, and you swear an oath that says that you go wherever you are ordered, what does that mean? It means wherever your services are needed you must go and do the work.”

He further stated that, since the Military has no power to prosecute, it has to collaborate with the Police on the matter.

“We don’t have the power to prosecute;  so even if you go to do the investigations and you arrest whoever you want to arrest, it is still the Police that will do the prosecution so it is better to collaborate with them to do the job that is expected.”

CDS begs angry soldiers over Capt. Mahama’s death

On Thursday, emotions were high amidst the desire for retribution on the part of soldiers gathered at Burma Camp,  following the lynching of one of their own.

The soldiers conveyed their anger over the killing of Captain Mahama in the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Obed Akwa, who had a tough job suppressing the men who were out for blood.

“We are the last resort in this country. If we allow ourselves to be beaten this way… as a Christian, by what Jesus said in Matthew 26 verse 52: he who draws the sword must die by the sword,” one fuming soldier stated.

Some of the soldiers also called for a total boycott and discontinuation of all anti-lumbering and anti galamsey operations currently being run by the Army.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Capt. Mahama’s death won’t affect galamsey fight – Armed Forces appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Major General Obed Akwa’s appointment as the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) has also been confirmed along with the pick for the Chief of Army Staff, General William Azure Ayamdo.

General William Azure Ayamdo thus replaces Major General Akwa who was the Chief of Army Staff. COP Asante-Apeatu also assumed the position of acting IGP after the former IGP, John Kudalor’s retirement.

Major General Akwa replaces Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje who will be retiring from the army.

Pursuant to articles 202 and 212 of the Constitution, President Akufo-Addo made the appointments in consultation with the Council of State, which was constituted in February.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post IGP, CDS appointments confirmed appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.