A 4-member delegation from ‘Fix The Country Democracy Hub’ led by the Director, Mr Benjamin Darko, called on the Chief of the Defence (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama on Wednesday 25 October 2023, at the General Headquarters in Burma Camp.
He expressed gratitude to the CDS for accepting their request to meet with him. He indicated that the Movement deemed it necessary to call on the CDS to discuss a Press Release issued by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Thursday 12 October 2023, and to apprise him with some of the measures they put in place for the mobilization of citizens for protests.
The Director and the delegation assured the CDS of the Movement’s readiness to adhere to the rule of law and not to engage in acts that could be detrimental to the country’s democracy. They further called for cooperation amongst all stakeholders in order to ensure a secured environment for democracy to thrive.
The CDS on his part, said the use of military-patterned uniforms and accoutrements by protesters during demonstrations was unlawful and also brings the image of GAF into disrepute, hence it was the responsibility of GAF to caution the organisers and protesters to desist from such acts.
He added that the Press Statement by GAF was not to prevent protesters from exercising their democratic rights as accepted by law, but to address the issues that have the tendency of creating insecurity in the country and those that tarnishes the image of GAF, for the necessary remedial actions.
Vice Admiral Amoama stressed that in a bid to enhance democracy, the Movement should desist from using offensive themes and slogans that impugn on the rights and the integrity of individuals, which most Ghanaians found to be unacceptable. He further urged the Movement to ensure their activities at all times are geared towards Ghana’s peace and stability.
The CDS summed up by assuring the Movement of GAF’s readiness to cooperate and work with institutions and groups that operate within the law and support Ghana’s democratic growth and also those that assist GAF in its roles, which are critical to national development interests and for defence commitments around the world.
The other members of the delegation were, the Lawyer for the Movement, Mr Jamal Tonzua, who was once an Officer of GAF and two Mobilisers of Democracy Hub; Oliver Barker-Vormawor and Kirchuff Atengble.