Ghana has earned a high recognition in security sector reform in sub-Saharan Africa. The constitution of Ghana has clearly provided room for civilian control over the military by creating avenues for checks and balances to prevent any conflict between the civilian leadership and the military community. An example is the delineation of national security structure and its chain of command. Professor Kwesi Aning and many other scholars in security studies, have written extensively on some of these achievements. While this is commendable, our constitution still left a loop on accountability over the civilian control over the security sector in our current democratic dispensation, especially the military, raising serious questions of future security implications on safety.
The recent pouches of incidents of military presence in civilian “quarters” in the past 3 to 4 months, has brought the once revered security institution, into a seemly disrepute. The remote cause could be linked to the alleged military brutalities in many parts of the country in view of the Covid-19 lockdown measures. However, while the military command came out to refute some of these allegations, some were so visible that there was no room for rebuttals. Military brutalities in Tamale during this period was a clear case study. Further, the immediate incidents of military deployments in the Volta region and some parts of the country, prior to the Electoral Commission’s registration exercise and most recently in Banda, in the Bono Ahafo region, increased the concerns of many meaningful citizens.
At the early stages, some of us argued in favor of the government, playing the devil’s advocate, that if the move by government was apolitical, and had the intention of securing our borders, then it would have been praise worthy. However, current trends have changed this perception, as it is now becoming clear that the move was only meant to tame certain groups of people for political gain.
It appears the political elite in our current regime are dragging the images of the military and other security operatives into disrepute. This can be associated with the lapses in our constitution with respect to grey areas in the operations of parliamentary oversight committees. For example, the constitution placed the overall authority in appointment and management of the security sector to the Executive arm of government, with little oversight from other arms of government (see: Aning and Lartey, (2005).By this, the military, like any other security institution, takes command from the executive arm of government. Even though this might have been done to prevent the recurrence of the rampant military take overs in the past, it may not have served the purpose it was meant for and rather created room for appointing those who are sympathetic to the government of the day.
The constitution outlined the civil-military (civilian-military) relations in terms of the relationship between the military and civilian political leadership control, the role of the military in society in a form of national security and the attitude of the military towards civil society. Among other things, the principles of militarism, stresses on the soldiers’ loyalty to civil society or state and not to an individual, group of people, a particular ideology or political party.
On civilian-military relations, scholars like Huntington (1957), had envisaged challenges in the likelihood of breach of trust between the military and the civilian control, and postulated what he referred to as “objective civilian control” as a possible remedy, where there will be balance between the two, so that the interest of one party does not exceed the other to provoke any chaos. For instance, Huntington saw the military activities as part of national security strategy. He argued that, the military has a two-fold role in this respect and their attitude or activities should be influenced by the changing trends in society; externally and internally, otherwise, the military is likely to abuse its strength.
The role of the military externally is to provide protection to the state from exterior aggressions. And to intervene internally, when there is subversion or take over governance when civilian leadership or society fails to govern itself. A very good example was the military interventions in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, when there were civilian agitations against their then ruling governments. However, as masters of violence, professionally trained to exert force, Huntington, suggested the need to check and control these activities. In this regard, therefore, the military must not involve in lime light politics, but take orders from the civilian political leadership. In summary, Huntington’s solution concentrated on a politically neutral, autonomous, and professional conduct of the military community (Huntington, 1957).
This suggests that, the military only takes instructions from the civilian political head, in this case the Executive arm of government.
Looking into the future, particularly ahei of December 7, 2020 Polls, the executive organ of government must be circumspect in the use of its powers in the security sector, since it has advert effects on our national security. The implication is that, while the military are deployed for personal or partisan Interests, the society's perception over their neutrality and professionalism become questionable. The recurrence appearances of the military in the mainstream media, and the loud cries of the populace, will provoke and change their attitude towards the society. This will go a long to deteriorate the smooth relationship with their civilian master and the society as a whole..
In the wake of such unfortunate turn, the country will suffer, since the military in their quest to redeem the image will turn to disobey or decide to ignore any possible intelligence, which could lead to escalation of violence conflicts.
The security sector reforms instruments in the constitution of Ghana, needs to be enacted to provide alternative measures for the security sector control. The parliamentary oversight must also be properly checked, with a clearly spelt out provisions to ensure accountability. The military and other security institutions must be respected and should not be reduced to ridicules by partisan Interests. Depoliticization of the security sector, should be a major factor in the supposed enactment law, with stringent procedures in the recruitment process to avoid procedural security breaches.
God Bless Our Home Land Ghana
By: Abdul Rashid Gbambu
Media Communication and Security Analyst
+233266593893
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