DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE CHIEF REPLACED
Maj.Gen. Odotei's Removal Shelved
Exposure Saves Airforce Chief Too?

The New National Democrat can reveal that the President has something to hide hence his knee-jerk reaction to the Ghana Palaver story. There is no smoke without fire. We wish to state that there are moves to make changes in the Armed Forces Command structure. Already Brigadier-General R.O. Sackey, the Director of Defence Intelligence has been replaced. Maj. Gen. Odotei was on the cards and only shelved because of unfavourable signals from Burma Camp.

Our intelligence sources dropped hints of the possible changes a fortnight ago. We know the presidency and the Armed Forces Council would deny that there were moves to replace Maj. Gen. Samuel Odotei. The truth is it took interventions from some influential persons behind the throne of state and the mood at Burma Camp to stay action against the expected changes. The Airforce Chief, we were informed by intelligence was also being considered for replacement. What their sins are we are yet to be informed especially when the Police Chief, with all the scandal which engulfed his outfit is still at post without any consideration of being replaced.

For those defending the President's action and in particular the shameful statement from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) condemning the Ghana Palaver, we urge them to glean some useful insights from our story. We insist that the President has earmarked certain security chiefs for replacement. Already, the Director of Defence Intelligence, Brigadier-General R.O. Sackey has been transferred to the Military Academy. The reasons for his removal are well known. We do not want to go into details for now.

With the transfer of the Director of Defence Intelligence very close to the elections, signals were also picked which points to the planned replacement of Maj. Gen. Odotei. The change, the New National Democrat gathered was discussed in the President's residence on July12 and 19, 2008 respectively. However, the action which was to be effected was stayed because the intelligence information from Burma Camp indicated that the move would create tension in the barracks. The changes were planned to be carried out in phases in order to avoid backlash in the barracks.

National Security, our intelligence sources hinted has to tread cautiously in their investigations in order not to let this matter get out of control. We can state on authority that an operational security plan has been drawn up and widely circulated to the various security services. This document, the intelligence sources hinted contained some disturbing information which we are reluctant to divulge because of its security implications. However, we challenge National Security to deny that such a document which also detailed how they intend to handle the election exists.

In the case of the GJA, we have very little to say about their press statements in reaction to matters which affect the NPP government. Mr. Ransford Tetteh must not let the public see the organization he leads as an extension of the NPP. We have monitored statements emanating from the GJA in the last three months. One can state that they are quick to react to matters affecting pro-NPP journalists while maintaining stone silence in respect of the others. When Raymond Archer, the Editor of the Enquirer complained of being placed under surveillance and Obiri Boahen asked him to go to court to seek redress, not a cough was heard coming from the corner of the GJA.

The GJA claimed the publication by the Ghana Palaver has serious national security implications. We agree. In the same vein, if the President, on the soap box made serious allegations against former President Rawlings of soliciting for funds to stage a coup, what was the reaction of the GJA? Hypocrisy is defying definition and makes us to stretch our coconut to think of better word. It is only in Ghana that one can have an organization such as the GJA to run to the defence of government at the slightest pretence. As the President of the GJA, Ransford Tetteh, who is also the Editor of the tax-payers Daily Graphic, published scurrilous articles imputing the integrity of some high-profile persons. Was he setting any good example for members of his association by allowing such insidious articles written in the Castle and imposed on him to be published without any shred of evidence?

The constitution of Ghana is in serious danger. The President, we believe must purge himself of his own utterances first before asking national security to investigate others. Although National Security Chiefs are appointed by the President, they must be reminded that the President is not above the laws of the land. If he can open his mouth very wide at Offinso to make treasonable allegations against others, what moral right has he got to ask a constitutional body to investigate others who make similar allegations?

The New National Democrat is not perturbed by these cowardly acts to cow the anti-NPP media into submission. We are prepared to go the full hog by reporting unpalatable activities of the President and his henchmen in their attempt to bring to milk this country dry. Let national security do the bidding of the President and brace itself an onslaught. In the era of the NDC, prior to the 2000 elections, the pro-NPP media threw national security to the dogs to the extent that they published unwholesome intelligence information without any reprimand from the so-called patriots. It is time for those interested in the truth to stand-up and be counted.

The chickens are coming home to roost as the intolerant NPP government is gradually showing its disdain for free expression. It is clear to us now that the claims to being a democrat flies in the face of his coercive move to cow the critical anti-NPP media into mindless submission. The President has over-stepped his constitutional bounds by ordering national security to investigate a newspaper instead of allowing the National Media Commission and the Ministry of the Interior dealing with the matter.