Neho! This morning I want to tell you why I have come to be now firm in the belief that the Ghana Armed Forces is truly a Useless Army!
To do this, I will tell you what is happening in Malawi.
Many of you may not know this, but currently in Malawi, there is a massive protest movement led by a gentleman called Oliver Nakoma. Malawians have taken to the streets over the rising cost of living and what they call false campaign promises
A few days ago, the Army of Malawi, issued a warning, including to the Malawian Police that that no one should interfere with protests that are currently going on in that country.
The Army has warned that it will not entertain anyone to brutalize the people who are only exercising their civil rights.
The protestors have so far given President Lazarus Chakwera an ultimatum of 85 days to fix the challenges Malawians are facing in the country or resign as he promised.
If you wonder what the role of the Military can be in a Democracy? This is it!
Now consider our own military. The Ghana Armed Forces have a stellar reputation when on Peacekeeping Missions abroad. Yet in Ghana, they are in the bushes protecting galamsey operations; signing private contracts with Chinese firms to pillage our resources.
They are in our communities aiming at and shooting unarmed civilians; brutalizing entire communities just because one person lost his phone.
Why is it that, even though we are the Citizens of Ghana; we only get the violent face of our military? When other populations enjoy its humanity? Why?
Just think about this, even the fact that there are many of you who at the very mention of the word useless army start to get palpitations. Ask yourself why? If it’s a democratized institution why would an opinion that they are useless be considered a taboo? Why are you afraid of their violence? Because they are unprofessional and murderous when dealing with their own citizens. How revolting!
The military must be a pillar of our democracy; not its disruptor. They must be prepared to protect democratic fairness. Play the balancing role; particularly as citizens receive no protection from neither the police nor the judiciary!
If our democracy must survive; our soldiers must stop marching into Parliament at the order of politicians; or deploying into our communities to shoot unarmed people; or signing commercial contracts to protect galamsey operators.
Our Military must come into its own as the standard bearer of human rights and democratic values.
If it does not, it is useless. And at the first opportunity, when power shifts to the youth; it will be abolished like several countries have started to do.
Shalom.
By Oliver Barker-Vormawor