How Ghana nearly slipped into military rule under Akufo-Addo - Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe recounts

Statesman and founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has recounted that Ghana was at a point during former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration where the country was at risk of falling under military rule.

According to him, two senior military officers, the late General Ashley-Larsen and General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, decided to engage then-President Akufo-Addo to offer their advice in the interest of the country’s security.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV on September 8, 2026, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said the two generals believed the prevailing situation in the country required their intervention because Ghana was, in his words, “walking into the hands of the military.”

However, the response they received from the former President was such that, in Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe’s view, Ghanaians should thank God the country remains a safe and stable nation.

“When Akufo-Addo became president of this country and this nation was walking into the hands of the military, two generals decided to have a chat with Akufo-Addo and advise because of the safety of this country.

“Late General Ashley Larson, he was, I think, the most eldest generals left at that time and General Nunu Mensah. They got in touch through the presidents, you know, as usual when certain things you have to pass it through somebody to get it. He was informed,” he recounted.

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Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said later on General Nunu Mensah was driving around Cantonments when he received a call concerning the proposed engagement.

He said a minister, whom he believed was then serving as the National Security Minister, informed General Nunu Mensah that the President wanted the two retired generals to speak with the security services instead.

“General Nunu Mensah said he was driving somewhere around Cantonment when he had the call, so he parked the car and on the other side of the phone was one of the ministers. I think it was then the National Security Minister. The person was rather telling him that the President would like them to talk to the security services. Can you believe that? Two generals,” he said.

According to Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, the two generals were highly experienced and considerably older than those involved in the situation, and had intended to offer guidance because of their concerns about the direction of the country.

He said the generals eventually decided to withdraw from the matter rather than pursue the engagement.

“So, what happened? There are no kids. Even in age, they are far, far older than us. So, they decided just to leave it and we were dangling like this, dangling,” he said.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe stressed that the situation had left the country in a precarious position, adding that Ghanaians should be grateful that the country ultimately remained under constitutional democratic rule during that period.

“The whole nation was dangling and we should thank God that we are still a nation,” he stated.

“Two military Generals had a conversation with former President Akufo-Addo during his administration. The response that came from Akufo-Addo was such that we should thank God Ghana is still a safe nation.”

— Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe#OnuaMaakye pic.twitter.com/tba2qdt46N

— #OnuaTV (@OnuaTV) September 8, 2026