No More Coups in Ghana?

The Accra Mail, a private bi-weekly writes that Ghanaians after Election 2000 generally agree that there is some air of freedom pervading the country, the kind associated with advanced and stable democracies. People no longer harbour any fear that some uniformed men could descend on them at dawn and march them to the Castle for "identification haircuts" and the like.

Another aspect of this newfound freedom, it said, is the ease with which military personnel interact with their civilian compatriots at academic round table discussions and other forums in the interest of the nation.

It was at one such function that a serving military officer won the toast of participants when he disclosed that the general trend in the Ghana Armed Forces was anti coup. The elation was visible when Naval Captain Quarshie who is the Deputy Commandant of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College announced to the audience who had assembled to discuss security that the coup mentality is now dead in the military. The same trend he said is prevailing in Ghana's giant neighbour, Nigeria.

"Soldiers now believe in changing governments through the power of the thumb. When we are dissatisfied with your rule, we vote you out when it is time for elections after four years."