Mustapha Gbande, Deputy National Secretary of the NDC, has accused the government of misusing the Ghana Armed Forces. He criticized the practice of military personnel, traditionally seen as defenders of the nation, being used as personal drivers and security for politicians and officials.
In an interview on Adom FM‘s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Gbande also alleged that members of the NPP are involved in illegal mining (galamsey) and have deployed soldiers to oversee these activities.
He stated in the interview:
“The Ghana Armed Forces is an institution that is much respected by Ghanaians. It was an enviable service and they command respect. But now they have become drivers for government officials. The Attorney General, Godfred Dame’s driver is a soldier. Soldiers are the guards at the Afenyo Markins office.
“They cause confusion at mining sites, where NPP leaders do illegal mining (galamsey), and soldiers oversee the site for them. The NPP themselves are the ones involved in the galamsey, they have sacked all the young men and taken over. I dare Akufo Addo to say he doesn’t know about it,”
The contentious statement made by the NPP Parliamentary candidate for the Amenfi East constituency, which encouraged illegal miners to resist and fight security personnel who encounter them, was further criticized by the NDC Deputy National Secretary.
He said that the candidate’s comments were improper and shouldn’t have been made, particularly with a regional minister present.
He added:
“It’s an insane comment, it was not only made by an ignorant and reckless candidate but it was made in the presence of an irresponsible regional minister. In the laws of Ghana when you are preparing to commit a crime, you are punishable as though you have committed a crime under the Criminal and Offences Law Act 29.
“The Minister should have also been arrested. The meeting was criminally minded meeting to attack the ministry. many innocent young men have been jailed over galamsey, if they don’t arrest the minister, this would be the worst injustice that has been brought on the people, “
