The Director of Operations at the Centre for Gender, Peace and Security Relations (CGPSR), Mr. Andrews Asiedu Tetteh, has slammed the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah, describing his recent public disclosure of missing ammunition within the Ghana Armed Forces as unprofessional and alarming. According to him, the Defence Minister’s conduct breached security protocol and risked undermining public trust in the military.
His comments follow the minister’s announcement of a new case of ammunition theft within the Ghana Armed Forces, a revelation that has sparked national concern over possible security lapses and weaknesses in the military’s internal control systems.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Tetteh said that sensitive security matters should be handled with discretion and not turned into political talking points. “It was wrong for the minister to come out openly to discuss missing ammunition. It undermines public confidence and exposes operational vulnerabilities,” he stated.
He argued that such disclosures could send the wrong message to criminal elements and even embolden threats to national security. “There are laid-down channels within our security architecture for handling issues of this nature. The minister should have used them rather than go to the public,” he said.
Mr. Tetteh stressed that politicising national security matters was dangerous and unproductive. He warned that drawing partisan lines around security concerns weakens Ghana’s collective defense mechanisms. “National security must remain above politics. Once we drag it into political discourse, we all become vulnerable,” he emphasized.
Turning his attention to ongoing conflicts in the northern and middle belts of the country, Mr. Tetteh called for a measured and intelligence-led approach to addressing tensions. He warned that issues such as the Bawku conflict must be handled delicately to prevent escalation and spillover effects.
He specifically cited the recent violent incident in Asawase in the Ashanti Region, which left residents distressed and worried. According to him, there may be underlying connections between the unrest in Bawku and what’s beginning to unfold in Asawase. “There’s a clear pattern of spread. These tensions are linked by more than just coincidence,” he said.
He urged security agencies to dig deeper into any potential linkages between the two areas, stressing the need for coordinated intelligence and early intervention. “Security responses must be proactive, not reactive. If we wait for things to explode, we risk losing control,” he added.
Mr. Tetteh further called on the government and military leadership to focus on strengthening internal systems, intelligence gathering, and professional communication strategies. “We must build public confidence—not shake it,” he advised.
In conclusion, the security expert cautioned public officials—particularly those in charge of sensitive portfolios like Defence—against careless public commentary. “Security is not for the cameras. It’s for the trained, the disciplined, and the discreet. We need professionalism now more than ever,” Mr. Tetteh stated.
#Please call him for insight into the story on 0243664708
