Persecution Of Targeted Military Officers (6)

The outcome of the meeting of the Armed Forces Council chaired by President John Mahama on Friday 25^th April, has reinforced and deepened the persecution and prosecution of targeted military officers, especially Asantes in particular and Akans in general and other non-Akans suspected to be linked to or to have worked in various positions and appointments during the eight-year rule of the New Patriotic Party governments of President Nana Addo.

The first major item on the Military Secretary’s publication of 28^th April, 2025 referenced GHQ/19023/MS dated 28 Apr 25 is the promotion of the Chief of Defence Staff to the rank of Lieutenant General. Having been appointed the CDS on 24^th March, 2025 and promoted Major General the same day, former Brigadier General William Agyapong (GH/2431) was promoted to the rank of a three-star General (Lieutenant General) with effect from 1^st May, 2025. Thus, in a matter of thirty-five (35) days, former Brigadier General (as at 23^rd March, 2025) William Agyapong has had two accelerated promotions and now wears the enviable rank of Lieutenant General commensurate with his appointment as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces.

From the grapevine, our scouts have been informed that he would be promoted to the rank of Four Star General within two years in order to equal the record of General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, the immediate past CDS.

Another item worthy of note is the promotion of Brigadier General Anita Asmah (GH/2577) to the rank of substantive Major General with effect from 1^st May, 2025. She thus became the first female Major General in active service.

Please do remember that Major General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu (GH/2140) was promoted to the rank of two star General posthumously and not while she was in active service. Major General Anita Asmah is the daughter of Colonel Jeff Asmah (GH/521) of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and Provisional National Defence Council fame and therefore a full-fledged member of the NDC party.

Another remarkable item, though not surprising, is the fact that Air Vice Marshal Felix Adom Asante (GH/2602) a known NDC member and a good friend of a former Chief of Air Staff, was the only two-star General retained.

As an Air Force officer of the same Intake RCC 32 as the current Chief of Air Staff AVM Eric Agyen-Frempong and the Chief of Staff AVM JL Mensah-Larkai, AVM FA Asante, who was promoted Air Vice Marshal on 19^th August 2024 and appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, is now the Acting President of the National Defence University (NDU). But for his deep affiliation to the NDC party, AVM FA Asante would have also gone home as the other two star Generals. Does he qualify for the job? Were there not more competent, qualified and more academically inclined and experienced two star Generals than AVM Asante?

Well, the answer is simple. You needed to have contributed financially, operationally and/or logistically to the war chest of the NDC and especially to the then Presidential candidate or the NDC party before you could be considered for an appointment in the current NDC Administration.

A proper scrutiny of the appointments and promotions published by the Military Secretary on 28^th April, 2025 will show that it is the mother, grandmother and great grandmother of all “Kokofu Promotions and Appointments” in the annals of the Ghana Armed Forces. The appointments and promotions will speak for themselves. They are predominantly for the ethnic groups that are politically correct with the NDC Party.

Readers are already aware of the appointments of Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono (GH/2495) as the Director General Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey (GH/2721) as the Director General Narcotics Control Commission and Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan (GH/2700) as the Commissioner for Customs.

Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo (GH/2646), the former Commissioner for Customs, has been humiliated with an appointment as Deputy Commandant of Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). The crime of General Ayorrogo is that he was appointed as Commissioner of Customs for just about one year under the erstwhile NPP administration of President Nana Addo.

Very reliable information from corridors of power indicate that General Ayorrogo is admired as a very versatile and disciplined Army Officer and should have either been retained at Ghana Revenue Authority as Commissioner or appointed as a Commandant but not a Deputy Commandant under an Air Force Officer who is only one Intake senior to him. Thus the appointment of Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong (GH/2614) of RCC 32 as the Commandant of KAIPTC with Brigadier General BW Ayorrogo of RCC 33 as the Deputy Commandant is humiliating and vindictive. But that is NDC for you.

Some of the startling revelations on the “Kokofu Promotions and Appointments” are as follows:

1. Brigadier General W Dzandu-Hedidor (GH/2435) – HQ North Comd as Joint Task Force Commander of Operations Koudalgou.
2. Brigadier General Stephen Woseadwokpo Kweku Parbey (GH/2554) – Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) – General Headquarters
3. Brigadier General Jackson Wonje (GH/2549) – Commandant Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC). Please note that he was the sole investigator in the suspension of the GMA Selection Process of 2024/2025.
4. Brigadier General Gah (GH/2679) – Ministry of Defence Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO).
5. Brigadier General Anthony Ntem (GH/2434) – Commissioner General Ghana Boundary Commission.
6. Brigadier General Cornelius Kobla Lithur (GH/2502) – Younger brother of Mr. Anthony Lithur – Commandant, Ghana Military Academy.
7. Brigadier General Lloyd Kwaku Atror (GH/2639) – Chief Staff Officer, Army Headquarters.
8. Brigadier General Frank Worlanyo Kwasi Agbeko (GH/2710) – General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command.
9. Brigadier General Albert Sison Ogaja (GH/2694) – GOC Central Command
10. Brigadier General Yaw Dagadu (GH/2686) – Director General, Civilian Establishment, GHQ.
11. Brigadier General Andrews Seth Mensah Attoh (GH/2778) – Director General Medical/Dental, General Headquarters
12. Brigadier General John Ishmael Yao Boglo (GH/2701) – Director General, Plans and Policies, Office of Chief of Staff, General Headquarters.
13. Brigadier General Francis Sasu (GH/2695) – Chief Coordinator, National College of Defence Studies.
14. Brigadier General Wellington Kwame Attipoe-Dumashie (GH/2754) – Chief Coordinator, National Defence University.
15. Brigadier General Alfred Kojo Botsoe (GH/2762) – Deputy Chief Staff Officer, Administration, Army Headquarters
16. Brigadier General Abednego Eclairae Shooter (GH/2823) – Director General Engineers, General Headquarters (Logistics)
17. Brigadier General William Kwaku Abotsi (GH/2746) – Deputy Chief Staff Officer (Plans and Policy)
18. Brigadier General Michael Kwami (GH/2757) – Director General Records, General Headquarters.
19. Brig Gen. Samuel Stanley Mezo (GH/2761) – Deputy Chief Staff Officer (Intelligence).
20. Brigadier General Ebenezer Mark Alo (GH/2824) – National College of Defence Studies
21. Brigadier General Godwill Yao De-Souza (GH/2826) – National College of Defence Studies
22. Colonel Lawrence Deku – Course Director KAIPTC.
23. Colonel Michael Yao Borbi (GH/3052) – Director Conflict Information and Research, General Headquarters (International Peace Support Operations).
24. Colonel Jonathan Kofi Kumado (GH/2837) – Director Research and Development
25. Colonel Frederick Kwesi Botchie (GH/2886) – Chief G1 (Personnel); Army Headquarters.
26. Colonel Lawrence Seddoh Agbedoawu (GH/3060) – Chief Operations Officer, Headquarters, Southern Command.
27. Colonel Emmanuel Doke (GH/2885) – Provost Marshal, General Headquarters (PM).
28. Colonel Matthew Kwesi Asuka (GH/2848) – Director Manpower Planning; General Headquarters Personnel Administration.
29. Colonel Roland Yao Deegbe (GH/3070) – Commanding Officer Forces Pay Regiment.
30. Colonel Richard Amedeka (GH/3283) – Chief G3 (Operations), Army Headquarters.
31. Colonel Francis Xavier Yaw Laapo (GH/3286) – Commander, Ghana Army School of Ammunitions and Explosives.
32. Colonel Gabriel Mawuli Agboado (GH/3294) – Chief G7, Army Headquarters.
33. Colonel Eric Arnold Tommey (GH/3171) – Chief Instructor, Military Studies, GAFCSC).
34. Colonel Saviour Attu-Buameh (GH/3295) – UNMISS GH12.
35. Colonel Sena Kofi Kunawotor (GH/3262) – Head of Environmental Unit, 37 Military Hospital
36. Colonel Cynthia Asi Adiasani (GH/3264) – Nursing Officer In Charge (NOIC) – 37 Military Hospital.
37. Commodore Bright Emmanuel Kojo Atiayao (GH/2743) – Defence Adviser, Abuja Nigeria.
38. Commodore Samuel Agyelazono (GH/2819) – Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval, Comd.
39. Captain (Ghana Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin (Mrs) GH/2976 – Director General Public Relations, General Headquarters.
40. Captain (Ghana Navy) Albert Anku Kpesenu (GH/3100) – Deputy Chief Staff Officer (Administration), Naval Headquarters
41. Captain (Ghana Navy) Theophilus Kafui Agbemebiese (GH/3094) Director Naval Operations, Naval Headquarters
42. Captain (Ghana Navy) David Kwadzo Delali Kpetigo (GH/3162) – Ministry of Defence (Chief Director) – Liaison Officer Navy.
43. Group Captain Benjamin Mliwomo Worlanyo Adjani (GH/3273) – UNISFA.
44. Group Captain Patrick Necku (GH/3276) Support Group Commander, Air Force Base Accra.

These are significant items representing appointments and promotions as per the publication of the Military Secretary GHQ/180 23/MS dated 28 April, 2025 deriving its authority from the Armed Forces Council meeting of Friday, 25^th April, 2025 chaired by President Mahama himself.

Concerned officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and indeed concerned Ghanaians are wondering why the President would personally chair the Armed Forces Council meeting after he had told the whole country that the Vice President of the Republic, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, was doing very well. If indeed she was doing very well, why couldn’t the President wait for her to perform her constitutional duty of chairing meetings of the Armed Forces Council? By the way, Mr. President where is the present location of the Vice President? Please is she in or outside Ghana? Please any further update on her health? Or we should wait for a “Breaking News”?

The MS publication of 28^th April, 2025 has confirmed the imminent compulsory retirement of several Generals, especially the two star Generals. All of the two star Generals except AVM FA Asante are currently on their annual leave after which they would start their terminal leave. Those whose run out dates (ROD) have been passed or are due are to start their Terminal Leave with immediate effect. Those affected are as follows:

1. Major General EW Kotia (GH/2222)
2. Major General AY Nsiah (GH/2277)
3. Major General IN Aryeetey (GH/2230)
4. Major General R Addo Gyane (GH/2270)
5. Major General RY Affram (GH/2273)
6. Major General MA Amoah (GH/2279)
7. Rear Admiral Eric Adu (GH/2367)
8. Major General JA Aphour (GH/2278)
9. Rear Admiral S Agyenim-Boateng (GH/2486)
10. Major General M Essien (GH/2368)
11. Major General DYA Nyarko (GH/2425)
12. Major General RK Ewusi (GH/2549)
13. Major General C Agyeman-Prempeh (GH/2432).

The fate of Brigadier Generals JM Punamane (GH/2513) who was seconded to Jubilee House in charge of security and MK Opoku (GH/2501), former GOC Central Command are hanging in the balance. They were posted to Army Headquarters (Camp) without any appointment or office. Before his appointment as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Central Command in February 2024, Brigadier General Opoku had been attached to the Ministry of National Security from 2017 to 2021. Thus, the two Generals had, at one time or the other, been part of the security architecture of the entire nation or the Presidency. For that as their “crime” the two Generals are to be retired soon.

Brigadier General MK Opoku (GH/2501) ordinarily would be due for compulsory retirement after 3^rd April, 2027 as his date of birth is 3^rd April, 1967. As a Brigadier General, if he does not get promotion to the rank of Major General, then he could be compulsorily released honorably after attaining the age of 60 years. Incidentally, Brigadier General Opoku is of Intake RCC 31 and a mate of Major General LK Gbetanu, but that couldn’t save him as he is seen as politically incorrect by the NDC standards.

Brigadier General Joseph Malik Punamane (GH/2513) has 28^th November, 1965 as his birthdate. Unfortunately, he is seen as politically incorrect by Generals Gbetanu and Agyapong who are now deciding the fate of military officers as per the directives of Sammy Gyamfi and the hawks in the NDC. The most interesting irony of events is the compulsory retirement of Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quarshie (GH/2622). Brigadier General Aggrey-Quashie had been the face of the Ghana Armed Forces since the retirement of Col Nibo as the Director Public Relations and later as the Director General Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces.

After the President had chaired the Armed Forces Council meeting on 25^th April, 2025 and General William Agyapong, the CDS, had called all the two-star Generals for the so-called VALEDICTORY MEETING, it was Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quashie who issued and signed the Press Release with a lot of inaccuracies attributed to Major General Irvine Aryeetey, on behalf of the Generals. Little did he know that that was going to be his last major duty as the Director General Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He confidently signed the Release No: A3 dated 28 April, 2025 and copied all media houses with a note to editors “For favour of publication, please”.

We shall surely visit the contents of that Press Release and the inaccurate assertions attributed to Major General Irvine Ayittey Aryeetey by Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quashie.

On 30^th April 2025, there was another Press Release from the Ghana Armed Forces on “Resumption of General Releases of Soldiers in the Ghana Armed Forces”. That was Press Release No: A4 dated 30 April, 2025 and was signed by Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin (Mrs) but not Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie. Our sources indicate that Brig Gen Quashie has started his terminal leave as his date of birth is 30^th March 1965 and consequently had 30^th March 2025 as his run out date.

There are other surreptitious strategies revealed by the publication of the Military Secretary on 28^th April, 2025. The removal of all Akan Commanding Officers appointed by the former NPP Administration went on unabated. All the Asante Commanding Officers have been replaced mostly by officers from certain NDC stronghold tribes. We shall delve into those ones in our next analysis to expose the hypocrisy, vindictiveness, callousness, wickedness and mischief of the current Military High Command, and the NDC Administration.

The divide and rule tactics of the two previous NDC Administrations of late President Rawlings, late President John Mills/John Mahama are back with the third and current Administration of President Mahama. The situation in the Ghana Armed Forces is precarious and needs urgent redress to raise morale and enhance esprit de corps for effectiveness and efficiently.