Doggy National Security Missions

Lt Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, National Security Coordinator

National Security operations in Ghana have no doubt assumed mind-boggling and doggy dimensions of late. They have increased the tally of the many weird entries in our governance logbook, prompting justifiable concerns among sane members of society.

No longer are the mostly ruling party activists dubbed national security agents concerned with matters which can pose security threats to the stability of the Republic of Ghana: They have veered from the aforementioned paths and preoccupied themselves with issues ranging from scaling walls of residents in search of missing German Shepherds or Dobermans, to carting away 'Atta Mortuary Man' video recordings.

Many of them saw action in the early days of the Mills administration, chasing cars on the streets of Accra and driving away so-called stolen cars from the port of Tema after labeling them 'stolen', with some phony Interpol collaboration.

We consider these recent newfound assignments of the National Security operatives appalling, given the demands of modern democracy.

With many of these party activists finding their way into the fold of this very serious institution of state, through the 'job for the boys' module, we are perhaps expecting too much civility from them. The building of strong institutions, as impressed upon us by visiting President Barack Obama, for now, remains Utopian indeed.

The seizure of the video recordings and other shows of intolerance indisputably constitute appropriate statements on government's abhorrence for the media and freedom of expression.

Sometimes, when such developments unfold, we tend to wonder whether the man who is responsible for advising the President about National Security operations is working at all.

In the comity of nations to which we belong, running the affairs of state should conform to best practices. Deviations from these tend to give a bad impression about our governance scale, presenting us as non-conformists.

The 'Atta Mortuary Man' National Security operation, which made disturbing headlines about our democracy yesterday, was unnecessary. It has given what could definitely not pass for a blockbuster, a commercial touch, as many now want to see what the plot is all about to warrant such a political reaction from the state.

Selective tackling of national security issues by agents paid to perform that role, upon the directives of politically-inclined bosses, is a matter of urgent concern in the country today.

Not to be left out in such messy endeavours, Deputy Minister of Information Baba Jamal has already joined the bandwagon with defence which defies logic and sense. Propaganda personalities like the Akwatia gentleman hardly make any sense when confronted with these image-denting ventures.

Indeed, the intolerance of the national security operatives who seem to have nothing useful to do with their time, reminds us of the situation in Zimbabwe where a policeman was jailed for daring to use Robert Mogabe's toilet, as captured elsewhere in this edition.