Another Coup?

The State Security apparatus is fully convinced that elements in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are plotting to overthrow the Kufuor administration by force of arms. A special security report dated September 24, 2003 and dispatched to the Vice President did not elaborate. It also did not speak of measures undertaken by the National Security to confront a coup, should one happen soon.

The report gives details of what happens at the headquarters of the NDC and around the first coup. Some of the information in the report has been dismissed by analysts as hogwash.

An allegation in the report that funds may be moved from Brunei to finance the NDC is not backed by any evidence. Part of the report reads; “There seems to be confusion all over the place and this state of affairs gives credence to reports that the NDC does not believe in the ballot box and is bent on overthrowing the Kufuor government by force”.

The story of a coup plot comes at a time when the Armed Forces Council is considering increasing soldiers pay by as much as 300 per cent. It is speculated that the proposed salary increase is intended to be a moral booster, which will encourage soldiers to resist coup attempts. Government is also effecting promotions in the Ghana Armed Forces.

The Insight newspaper however quotes sources within the NDC as saying that the party is fully committed to the democratic process and has no intention whatsoever of subverting the constitution.

The State Security apparatus is fully convinced that elements in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are plotting to overthrow the Kufuor administration by force of arms. A special security report dated September 24, 2003 and dispatched to the Vice President did not elaborate. It also did not speak of measures undertaken by the National Security to confront a coup, should one happen soon.

The report gives details of what happens at the headquarters of the NDC and around the first coup. Some of the information in the report has been dismissed by analysts as hogwash.

An allegation in the report that funds may be moved from Brunei to finance the NDC is not backed by any evidence. Part of the report reads; “There seems to be confusion all over the place and this state of affairs gives credence to reports that the NDC does not believe in the ballot box and is bent on overthrowing the Kufuor government by force”.

The story of a coup plot comes at a time when the Armed Forces Council is considering increasing soldiers pay by as much as 300 per cent. It is speculated that the proposed salary increase is intended to be a moral booster, which will encourage soldiers to resist coup attempts. Government is also effecting promotions in the Ghana Armed Forces.

The Insight newspaper however quotes sources within the NDC as saying that the party is fully committed to the democratic process and has no intention whatsoever of subverting the constitution.