Ghanaian Politicians: There Will Be Consequences - If Your Actions Or Inaction Results In A Breakdown Of Law & Order In December

Every time there has been a military coup against  a democratically elected regime in West Africa, I have  written a piece  asking the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to demand that the coup makers - in Guinea and Mali,  for example - are forced to hand power back to the civilians they overthrew  swiftly.


I have done so,  because I  believe that  constitutional democracy is the best system of government,   for all the nations in present-day Africa  - so Kofi Thompson is not about to call for a military coup in his native Ghana, under any circumstances, any time soon.


I thank the following: 'Cantankerous',   who posted the comment with the title  "DAFT. DAFT. DAFT" (2012-06-16 01:22:43);  'Tommy',   who posted (2012-06-16 03:44:40) the comment entitled  "FOOLISH IDEA. ARMY BEST IN BARRACKS" and  'Bumbebo',   whose comment (posted from London  2012-06-16 09:14:15)  was entitled "GAF not Needed".


They all took the trouble to   post comments on www.ghanaweb.com, after reading my article entitled,  "December Polls: If Need Be The Ghana Armed Forces Must Act Swiftly To Save Ghana From The Consequences Of Electoral Violence".


I am grateful to all of them    for  sharing their opinions when  commenting on the aforementioned  article of mine.


I suggest, however,  that they re-read the article again. I was  neither  calling for a military coup nor asking the military to mutiny. 'Far from that. Actually, in effect, I was  hoping that the military has prepared plans to step  in to prevent a breakdown of law and order - not take over the country  (God forbid!).
The operative word in the article is ''contingency" - perhaps they would want to look it up?

Yes, in our democracy the army operates  under civil power.  And one hopes that the present Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF),  will rise to the occasion, were there to be a break down in law and order as a result of widespread violence over election results.


However, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is said that coming events cast their shadows.  The posture of the hardliners  in the biggest two political parties in Ghana, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), does not inspire confidence.


For that reason,   for the safety of the Republic,  and to protect Ghanaian democracy - from the machinations of the  greedy and ruthless plutocrats  in our midst who masquerade   as democrats,  but in reality don't actually believe  in democracy - one hopes  the Ghana Armed Forces is  prepared  for any  contingency that will warrant their having to  intervene  swiftly and deal  ruthlessly with  those who resort to violence.


Ghana's political parties and  the politicians who lead them,  must understand clearly that they will not be allowed to get away scot free, if their actions or inaction  result  in a total breakdown of law and order on polling day or its immediate aftermath.


There will be consequences for them personally. No "Big Men" in the Ghana of today, must think they can mess our country up and get away with it. Those days are gone for good.  Period.


Tel: 027 745 3109.