NDC Has Compromised Ghana's National Security - Nana Addo

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress of compromising the professionalism of the nation's security services. Outlining his plans for the security sector in Koforidua, Nana Addo said "under the NDC regime, the recruitment, promotions and appointments within the security services have been subjected to a political acid test of loyalty to the NDC rather than emphasis on competence, seniority and loyalty to the state." "This is a dangerous development that does not promote national cohesion and the building of a true and professional national security agency." "Under the Mills -Mahama administration, the significant gains our country made in depoliticising our state security agencies has been lost and replaced with an aggressive politicisation agenda. Indeed as soon as the NDC assumed office in January 2009, the training of two batches of Armed Forces recruits selected during the latter part of the NPP administration was cancelled and the nation was told loudly that these young people who were recruited under a meticulously devised regiment were NPP foot soldiers." According to Nana Addo, "in the process about 900 young men and women who could have excelled in carrying out their military duties were denied in the opportunity to serve in their countries Armed Forces." Debunking allegations levelled against him by his political opponents, Nana Addo said "i am certainly not anti military despite all the efforts to portray me as such. I have no plans to turn our soldiers into farmers nor do i intend to touch the single spine arrangements that were initiated by the NPP government of John Agyekum Kufuor to fund the free Senior High School program... So our men in uniform should rest in peace and assured." Nana Addo however promised, among others,that once he was elected into office he was going to ensure that monies collected as rent from soldiers occupying military quarters will be used for the maintenance and improvement of places of accommodation. He promised that the next NPP administration will enrich the human resource base of the Ghana Armed Forces.