Gbevlo was not fired because of Legon tollbooth incident

Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, John Alexander Ackon, has called on Ghanaians to dismiss as mere conjecture, reports that National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey's removal from office was as a result of the demolition of the Legon tollbooth.

Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (Rtd) was on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 asked to proceed on leave following a letter copied to his outfit.

President John Dramani Mahama sacked Mr. Gbevlo Lartey amidst speculations that the 'rambo style' approach to issues by the National Security capo, especially during a tussle with the authorities of the University of Ghana, Legon, over a tollbooth the institution constructed was reason for his dismissal from office.

The authorities had erected the booth to charge vehicle drivers who ply the road in the school after they solicited a loan to construct better roads for the institution.

But the booth was razed down at dawn by personnel from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) at the command of Lt. Gbevlo Lartey.

Few months after the incident, government relieved the security capo from duty and a letter signed by the Minister for Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga, read that "at a meeting with Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, the President commended and thanked him for his loyalty and dedicated service to the State. He will be assigned to other duties after his well-deserved leave."

Speaking on UTV's "Adekye Nsroma," Hon. Ackon explained that the President's action may have stemmed from several other factors and not necessary as a result of the Legon tollbooth demolition.

He argued that Lt. Gbevlo Lartey has over the years proven his competence as Head of National Security in the country and so, believed President John Mahama has good reasons for discharging him of his official duties.

According to him, the President's action is, however, not outside the remits of the constitution, hence his ability to "make and unmake, engage and disengage, appoint and disappoint" any appointee.