Who are these Powerful Men in Ghana today?

Two exposès since this and last week have revealed a consistent trend of what is working behind the scenes giving oxygen to illegal mining in Ghana, what constitutes the source of insecurity in Ghana and who really benefits from unofficial main use of state power in the Akufo-Addo government.

One of the exposès is directly connected to recent statements by DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo, the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer aka Regional National Security Coordinator, and the former Greater Accra Regional Police Commander. According to the retired beleaguered police officer, his appointment terminated on April 9, 2021.

However, he wanted to handover to his successor, Major General Francis Amanfo, at the regional office. But instead, seven members of the supposedly disbanded Delta Forces burst into his office at 5pm on May11, 2021, handcuffed him under instructions of carrying out orders from above to whisk him to Accra. But the Ashanti Regional Security Commander rescued the situation with his intervention that ended at the police.

DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo further expressed surprise in the interview, saying the seven men of the supposedly disbanded Delta Forces (four of which he knew and did work with them) were freed by the police. On another issue, he further gave hint, that sometime ago, disagreement erupted in the working relationship between these men and him, caused by his name used to extort monies from illegal miners.

He also revealed, that he intended to strictly apply instructions to end illegal mining in the region and could not condone with activities of the men bent on supporting illegal mining. As a result he had taken measures to curtail such activities in the region, likely leading to the bad blood which infuriated an already marred relationship.

What happened to DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo, isn’t the first of its kind in recent times. Soon after taking office, the Akufo-Addo government appointed a new National Security Liaison Officer. But his appointment was shortlived with an attack which took place at the premises of the Ashanti Regional National Security. The men were identified to belong to Delta Forces. They were arrested, charged for various offences and remanded in court detention. But their colleague Delta Forces members stormed the Kumasi High Court and freed them from lawful custody.

Sadly, the Attorney-General’s Office filed a nolle prosequi in both cases – the assault of a public officer and the bloody violence that led to disruption of public peace and vandalised public property at the premises of the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Office, and what similarly happened at the Kumasi High Court that sent the High Court judge, police officers and workers of the court running for their dear lives as some suspects held in custody also took advantage of the situation to escape lawful custody.

The suspects were fined a paltry sum of GHS1,800 each for all the above unprecedented troubles against the state; and were acquitted and discharged. After this, Commanders of the Delta Forces were treated to a red-carpet visit to the seat of government, Jubilee House; and hosted by Akufo-Addo to a tea party. The above portrait brings along it several questions on a statement made sometime ago by Mrs Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, a member of the Emile Short Commission, which was constituted to investigate and provide recommendations on what happened on January 31, 2019, during the AWW by-elections.

According to Mrs Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, formations such as Bolgatanga Bull Dogs, Delta Forces, Invisible Forces, Kandahar Boys etc are private militias as against the erroneous tag of vigilante groups. And their sponsors are warlords, in that sequence. This reference is further confirmed in a revelation captured in an investigative documentary titled, Militia: In the Heart of the Nation by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.

His [Manasseh Azure Awuni] exploits uncovered a 5,000-strong standing militia called the De-Eye Group located at nowhere other than the former seat of government, the Christianborg Castle, a security zone restricted for private and commercial use. Contents of the documentary corroborated allegations that the recruitment, equipment and training of these men and women were under the consent and approval of Akufo-Addo, which has since been refuted by government spokespersons; but falling short of further independent investigations by state security agencies.

Power struggles and politics of the National Security Secretariat establishment and personnel is becoming one too many to ponder over. This became a pronounced public discussion especially, following developments during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections on January 31, 2019. One of the outspoken defendants of reported crimes that occurred at AWW during the by-elections, Col Michael Opoku, has reportedly been relieved of his post after investigations showed he had concealed information on confisticated vehicles, and allegedly stole those vehicles.

In a related conversation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has revealed that he was impressed upon by two government functionaries – the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and the Minister of Lands, Mines and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor – to stick to his original script and avoid making other statements. But the overlord of Asanteman would have none of that, as he chastised that conferences alone do not halt illegal mining. In that prelude to his script, he also alluded that about 30% of members present at the said conference knew persons engaged in illegal mining at the count of their finger tips.

So why did the above named government officials engage the overlord of Asanteman to impress on him to refrain from divulging sensitive information likely to mar government reputation in the fight against illegal mining in Ghana? And who are the backers of the men from the supposedly disbanded Delta Forces who were freed by the police for their impunity in attacking a public officer in the person of DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo? Was DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo targeted for his resolve to fight against illegal mining in the Ashanti Region? Genuinely, does the Akufo-Addo government believe in good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights in a pluralistic society such as Ghana?

Matters arising from what happened to DCOP (Rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo, carried out by men known from Delta Forces and operate in the name of National Security personnel shall linger on. But Ghanaians remain very discerning in governance matters.

#TheRevolutionHasJustBegun #FixTheCountry