Does Mr. Mahama have a Goodwill Message for the Security Services? I believe so.
Rumblings in the Security Services in reaction to what was observed as threats issued by NDC elements close to Mr. Mahama have been cause for concern.
These concerns need urgent attention from Mr. Mahama, a former C-i-C.
I recall reading a well crafted statement in an article by one Owula Mangortey from the Dodowa forest, which received wide circulation; and which to all intents and purposes revealed what is the mind of Mr. Mahama for the Security Agencies.
Of course, as Owula stated, a careful observation of occurences in the Security Services under the current government would reveal that there is an urgent need to right some wrongs and provide assurances to the Services.
In seeking to right wrongs, it will be uncalled for Mahama boys to be noted to be issueing threats or using incendiary language that can be misinterpreted as threats to anybody in the Security Services.
I recall with admiration reading the following assurances in Owula Mangortey’s article:
President John Mahana will not be vindictive to Officers and men of the Security Services.
Accordingly, nobody should be afraid of a ‘purge or victimisation’ for the wrongs of the current government.
President Mahama will ensure that job satisfaction and security of tenure will be guaranteed.
There will not be any vindictive transfers, postings and appointments for perceived political affiliations under President Mahama.
There will be open and transparent recruitment and enlistment in the Security Services to meet international standards.
President Mahama will ensure improvement of pay and allowances regime.
There will be a comprehensive review of existing pension policies for the Security Services (Cap 30, Act 247, and Act 766).
President Mahama will vigorously address logistics and welfare issues and challenges to enhance morale ot the Security Services.
In consultation with the top echelons of the Security Services, President Mahama will introduce new paradigms and BEST PRACTICES to make the country safer and better secure.
President Mahama will implement policies and programs to improve the Security Services which ensure that professional men and women, NOT vigilantes, will be in charge of Police, Prisons and Fire Service duties.
The Security Services can recall all the notable operational and administrative challenges of the Services that were resolved, including fair promotions and appointments, Visibility Policing, etc. that were achieved during the tenure of Mr. John Mahama as Vice President (under the late President Atta Mills) and as President.
Accordingly, President Mahama will oversee a new paradigm of development of the Security Services to ensure more peace, progress and prosperity of Ghana.
As a retired Officer, I read very carefully in between the lines of what the man from Dodowa Forest writes. And I have no doubt in my mind that the above assurances reflect the views, intentions of Mr. Mahama for the Security Forces in the event that he wins the December 7 elections.
These assurances need to be reinforced among the Security Services.
We all need a Security Service at peace with itself to maintain peace and harmony, before, during and after the election of December 7, 2020.
