Chief of Defence Staff has no ballot boxes

Accra, Dec. 27, GNA - Major General Joseph Boateng Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), says he does not have stuffed ballot boxes in his house to be dispatched at appropriate time to unknown destinations.

A release Colonel E.W.K. Nibo, Director of Public Relations of GAF, signed on Saturday referred to a statement Dr Tony Aiddo, Former Deputy Minister of Defence, was alleged to have made at a political rally at Kasoa to the effect that the CDS had stuffed ballot boxes in house.

The release said: "The CDS would like to state categorically that the statement made by Dr Tony Aidoo is unfortunate; extremely provocative; mischievous and aimed at inciting his audience against him as well as troops under his command.

"The CDS would like to further add that his house has never been a place for keeping ballot boxes or an annex to the Electoral Commission Offices to store ballot boxes. He finds the statement as a personal attack on his integrity, which had injured his image and hard won reputation," the release said.

The CDS advised persons, who found themselves on political platforms to avoid drawing Military Commanders or personalities into such politically charged atmosphere with statements, which did not augur well for the peace, security and safety of the nation. The release said: "Finally the CDS would wish to assure the Nation that as the Commander of the Ghana Armed Forces he would not under any circumstances involve himself in any act or omission, which will betray public faith in the electoral process.

"He, therefore, advises the public and especially all troops under command to remain unshaken by the calculated attempts to undermine the integrity and unity of the Ghana Armed Forces and other Security Services.