We wish to congratulate the military high command on its swiftness in acting upon the report regarding the alleged usurpation of a Nissan hard body double cabin pickup by Brigadier Sampson Adeti, which subject matter was donated to the Southern Command of the Ghana Army by the Bank of Ghana.

Elsewhere in this edition, there is a report about the commendable investigations ordered by the military high command whose report we are told, has been submitted to the appropriate quarters.

Knowing the quality of managers of the country’s defence system, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Service and formation commanders who we are convinced would like to leave the stage after their tenures better than they met it, we were unsurprised when a General was detailed to probe the subject.

We were not in doubt about the sincerity underpinning the assignment, given that when the top military officer called on us at the DAILY GUIDE, his sense of duty and commitment were bereft of blemish. The military, steeped in the tradition of the British Armed Forces, has not lost the quality of gentlemanliness which is what every military officer is expected to be: it is an institution which professionalism we must all support in upholding.

It is not for nothing that the mess etiquettes and other qualities of the aristocracy are still cornerstones of military tradition: the institution is hinged on traits of the British aristocracy – an institution synonymous with gentlemanliness and honesty. Instances of insincerity and dodgy traits are anathema here.

This is an institution which traces its root to the Gold Coast Constabulary, Gold Coast Regiment and the Royal West African Frontier Force – the latter having garnered various decorations in theatres of battle such as Myoung, Kaladan and others. Need we allow it to lose these feathers to persons who are ready to sell their integrity for a pittance?

The issue for which the current Chief of Staff has been investigated by the high command is a worrisome one, given his rank and appointment. Equally disturbing are the alleged manouvres by the Vice President to thwart the efforts of the high command in dealing with the anomaly in consonance with military standards. This is despicable and should not be encouraged by any standards lest it sets a dangerous precedence.

In a social media age when stories are disseminated within minutes of their breaking, the story of this senior officer has already made the rounds with an expected rapidity.

The response on the same medium is alarming as men in the colours express disdain at the alleged anomaly of the One-Star General.

We in the media in our supporting role of making public any instance of misdemeanor that can impugn negatively on the image of the military, could not have turned our attention from the aberration. This we have done without malice or mischief but for the general good of the military institution which if we allow to suffer what other state agencies have, would cost us our democracy. It is an important bastion we must protect.