Richard Jakpa has no place in national security operations – Dr Boakye-Danquah

Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former government spokesperson on governance and security, has sharply criticised Ghana’s recent national security appointments, stating unequivocally that Richard Jakpa should not hold any position within the country’s security architecture under a serious leader who values national security.

Dr Boakye-Danquah asserted that the national security apparatus must be managed by individuals of integrity and distinguished careers and not those appointed primarily for partisan political reasons.

He emphasised that anyone dishonourably dismissed from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is unfit to participate in the sensitive decision-making processes of the state’s national security.

He described Jakpa’s appointment as an “egregious security lapse” by the government.

“In any serious nation, Richard Jakpa would have no place in the national security architecture,” he stated, characterising the decision as dangerous and a compromise to Ghana’s safety.

“On security matters, President Mahama has earned a failing grade.”

Dr Boakye-Danquah, who is also a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), elaborated on the vital functions of national security including threat assessment, intelligence gathering, communications, economic protection and safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty and argued that Jakpa does not qualify under any of these thematic areas.

“To have someone who was dishonourably removed [from the GAF] working at national security is a threat to Ghana and its security,” he stressed.

Addressing Jakpa’s recent petition against the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Dr Boakye-Danquah opined that Jakpa “lacks any form of credibility” to bring such a petition against the Justice Minister.

He further accused Jakpa of abusing his power while in office, citing incidents of him “storming the residences of people” and “leading raids for special operations.”

Dr Boakye-Danquah concluded that upon learning of Jakpa’s appointment, he recognised it as a “deadly” and “very dangerous” development for the country’s security environment.