1. It must be noted that the National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) is not backed by any law in Ghana. It evolved and operates based on understanding among security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders. The operation of the NESTF is, therefore, based purely on understanding and goodwill among stakeholders.
2. Against this background, I like to state unequivocally, that the decision to deploy the military in our election space, is a political one. Even in matters of internal security, the IGP is not the sole authority. It’s still a political decision.
3. This is because even though NESTF is operational during this election period, the general security of the nation is still under the control of National Security Ministry and for that matter, the National security Council (NSC) chaired by the President per Articles 83 and 84 of the 1992 Constitution and the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020, Act 1030.
4. Therefore, the IGP will not be the “sole” decider on when the military would be deployed.
5. Besides, the IGP works under the Ministry of the Interior and Police Council, and his decisions are ultimately subject to the approval of NSC, of which the IGP is a member. Therefore, the reference to IGP as “Commander-in-Chief” of NESTF suggesting that he has final authority, in my respectful opinion, is misleading.
6. Since the deployment of the military is a political decision, such a deployment can take place on the blind side of the IGP and the NESTF. This was what happened in 2020 and the then IGP did not know anything about it. Again, the military was called to Ejura by the regional minister in his capacity as chairman of REGSEC. Similarly, National Security deployed their National SWAT at Ayawaso-West Wuogon (AWW) on the blind side of the Police. The point I’m making is that the decision to deploy the military is a political one; and that the IGP is not the “sole” decider.
WAY FORWARD FOR CITIZENS AND OPPOSITION PARTIES
1. NEED TO DEFINE THE CONDITIONS AND PARAMETERS: Judging from the incidents in Ejura, AWW and 2020 elections, it’s clear that the IGP is not the “sole” decider on when to deploy the military in internal security matters. What is clear, however, is that it’s a political decision. Therefore, there is the need for political parties and other stakeholders, to request for such blueprint on condition and parameters for such deployments from the NEC or Ministry of National Security.
2. NEED TO DEFINE MILITARY ROLE WHEN DEPLOYED: There’s is also the need to define the role of the military when deployed. Clear rules of engagement or Directives on the use of force must be spelt out. Certainly, it cannot be ‘beatings’ as spelt out by Lt. Col. Cudjoe recently. When the military are deployed, they’re to play policing roles bearing in mind the protection of civilians as the ultimate goal in enforcing the law. After all, even in war situations, there are laws.
3. NEED FOR CITIZENS TO PROTECT THEIR VOTES BY BEING VIGILANT AND RESISTING ANY OPAQUE DEPLOYMENT OF THE MILITARY: Since the decision to deploy military is a political one, it could easily be abused in favour of incumbent government as witnessed in AWW, 2020 general elections, and even Ejura. There’s, therefore, the need for political parties especially opposition parties to empower their supporters to be vigilant in protecting their votes. This also includes massing up in huge numbers during counting of votes to resist any opaque and unauthorized deployment of the military or National Security SWAT.
4. RESISTING OFFICERS IN FACE MASKS AND THOSE WITHOUT NAME TAGS OR BOTH: During voting and particularly during counting of votes, citizens and opposition political party representatives must be bold enough to resist so-called police officers in face masks or without names on their uniforms or both. This is because there’s the high possibility of National Security SWAT teams wearing police uniforms and face masks masquerading as police officers to cause mayhem as happened in AWW.
CONCLUSION: I love the confidence of the IGP in declaring himself as the sole decider on when miitary are deployed during this election. But my advice to the IGP and Dr. Omane Boamah and opposition parties in general, is that things do not work out like that in reality. Vigilance of the political parties and the readiness of citizens to protect their votes at all cost, is the way to go. THE IGP IS NOT THECOLE DECIDER ON WHEN MILITARYVAR TO BE DEPLOYED IN 2024 ELECTIONS. It is possible for the military to be deployed on his blind side hence the need for vigilance.
By ACP Benjamin Agordzo (RTD) PhD