NATIONAL FORUM FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS

Press Statement-Creation of Special Forces is a terrible mistake

The National Forum For Peace and Progress and all peace loving Ghanaians condemn the creation of special forces in the Ghana Armed Forces. This kind of division at a time the government should be fostering National security and unity within our borders is just unacceptable and the actions of President Mills, his security advisers and in particular the Minister for Defence General (Rtd)Joseph Henry Smith is a shame to a democracy like Ghana.
Sometime ago some past governments created Republican Guards, Special Branches and Forces Reserve Battalions within the Ghana Armed Forces and it did not do any good except leading to divisions within the army. The creation of this group within the army is very divisive and takes Ghana backwards. Ghanaians want one army dedicated to defending all Ghanaians, not defending one political organisation or advancing the interest of some selfish and wicked politicians who only want to use some sections of the armed forces to unleash mayhem on Ghanaians to protect their selfish interests.
The excuse that our oil resources must be protected by this group is not acceptable. It is the responsibility of the Ghana Navy and our coastguard, backed by the police and the bureau of National Investigations to support the government to do this. We have so many battalions in our army why the creation of commandos , special reserve battalions and all these sinister groups?
We call on the immediate disbandment of this sinister and shadowy group within the army. Ghanaians have seen what has happened in countries such as Zimbabwe and Kenya where special forces such as munjiki and war veterans where created in armies under the guise of fostering peace and security, only to be unleashed on civil society during election periods and to restrict civil society.
President Mills is commander in chief of the armed forces and must be very careful of what he is doing and not be misled by adventurers and dinosaurs of the past who are experts in creating these kind of groups to intimidate
civilians .
Ghana needs a loyal united armed forces to protect all its citizens.

We are watching .

Reverend William Obimpeh(Chairman)
Lt Colonel(Rtd) Peter Kwamina Barnes
Mrs Victoria Tawumbilla
Major(Rtd) Ibrahim Awuni Bamtonge
Prophet Kofi Asante Bediako
Miss Patience Baaba Brew

Source-National Forum for Peace and Progress Accra,Ghana