Professor Kwesi Aning, a renowned Security Consultant has called for a resetting of Ghana’s armed Forces a strategic necessity of restructuring the military against the implications of rapid leadership transitions.
Professor Aning emphasized the need to “reset the Ghana Armed Forces,” clarifying that his use of the term “reset” was not political but administrative. He elaborated that the military must return to its core mandate of protecting the republic.
“The second is about improving civil-military relations that in the last three to four years, have had certain difficulties.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Consultant
According to him, the careful selection of experienced and tested leaders is vital for ensuring stability and operational efficiency within the military.
Professor Aning pointed out that promoting key military personnel has positive implications and that there is precedence for such decisions. He referenced the elevation of General Blay, who previously served as Ghana’s High Commissioner for Defense in Abuja before being appointed as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
“It gives the president now the opportunity to promote bright, young, relatively young people who are one-star generals and colonels, who would otherwise have been stagnant for a very long period because the top was very heavy with senior staff.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Consultant
This change, he asserted, would create a more dynamic and responsive military structure.
When asked about concerns over the rapid succession of appointments within the Ghana Armed Forces, Professor Aning dismissed fears that these transitions would affect defense policies.
“One of the things that we need to understand, particularly in the statutory security forces, is that the day you are appointed, you also know that the day will come when you have to leave. Above the rank of Colonel, every single appointment is a political appointment.”
“By the time you hit Colonel, your loyalty, professionalism, and diplomacy have all been tested, either during peacekeeping outside Ghana or internal operations.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Consultant
This ensures that any new appointee is fully capable of leading the military without disrupting existing defense policies.
Professor Aning emphasized that with the new leadership in place, Ghana should expect a sharp difference in civil-military relations, particularly in human rights violations and excessive use of force.
“We will see the Israeli-style shootings. We will see the Ashaiman brutalities. It is the quality of the leadership, the types of threats that they face, and the political direction they are given that determine the extent to which there can be excesses.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Consultant
He further stated that the newly appointed leaders are experienced professionals who are willing to engage with the public and listen to concerns.
The Role of Parliament in Military Oversight
Another critical issue Professor Aning touched on was the role of Parliament in overseeing the Ghana Armed Forces. He noted that while military appointments are traditionally made in consultation with the Council of State, parliamentary committees have a significant role to play in ensuring accountability.
He mentioned three key parliamentary committees that will engage with the military; the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Interior, the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence, and the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Governance
“The oversight institutions, Parliament, must learn to play its role of engagement and ensuring that the taxpayers’ money and expectations are held to the highest standards.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Consultant
He further stressed that Parliament should scrutinize military appointments and decisions to ensure that they align with the national interest.
Professor Aning’s insights paint a picture of a well-calibrated restructuring effort within the Ghana Armed Forces.
The recent appointments, he argued, are aimed at resetting the military, strengthening civil-military relations, and ensuring that leadership is dynamic and responsive to evolving security challenges.
In summary, the current changes in the Ghana Armed Forces represent a strategic realignment rather than a disruption. With experienced leaders at the helm and a more dynamic structure in place, Ghana can expect a more efficient, responsive, and professional military.
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