Emile Short Commission investigation reveals security is politicized – Prof Gyampo

The Emile Short Commission has exposed many things, including the excessive politicization of the security services, said a political scientist.

According to an Associate Professor of Political Science, the Commission's revelations show that most security agents are at the mercy of political whims and caprices, while others, better able to act, have been left out.

"Security officials have been manipulated. And officials have been dismissed, "Ransford Gyampo told Daniel Dadzie on Tuesday during Joy FM's Super FM television show [SMS].

Following the recent by-elections of Ayawaso West Wuogon (intended to replace Kyeremanteng Gyarko, then a Member of Parliament), the government set up the Emile Short Commission.

In a government statement announcing the creation of the Commission, he said: "The mandate of the Commission is [ among other things to] a) conduct an exhaustive, faithful and impartial investigation into the circumstances and facts underlying the events and related acts of violence that took place during the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon , January 31, 2019. "

But according to Professor Gyampo, the politicization of our security services has resulted in embarrbading and rather contradictory responses from security respondents who appeared before the commission.

Citing in particular the appearance of DSP Samuel Azugu, he said: "The man was making fun of himself. The answers that were given did not add up. It looks like he's not gone to school before.

Not to say that the security staff are responsible, he added: "I am happy that these things are exposed. People listen to them and they are embarrbaded. If you allow yourself to be used, you will be embarrbaded. People let themselves be used instead of acting professionally. "

Security guards wearing masks during the by-elections in Ayawaso West Wuogon were severely criticized.

The commander in charge of the SWAT National Security Team, Deputy Police Superintendent (DSP) Samuel Kojo Azugu, who appeared before the Short Commission, explained that national security has many uniforms that make up the national security. they wear for various reasons, especially to protect mosquitoes and reptiles. This claim has been ridiculed by both new and traditional media.

But Professor Gyampo said that simply having security chiefs outlining how their political masters manipulate them behind the scenes should not be enough to satisfy political actors.

According to him, the useful outcome of the Commission's work should be a decisive step that will depolitate the security services and encourage them to act independently of the political leader.

"As long as we do not build a credible police and depoliticize state institutions, nothing will work. We destroy the institutions when we politicize them. "

He proposed that "appointments be made by meritocracy".

Even more, he suggested that "we need politicians who are not interested in the next election outside of what brought them to power."

Without this, Professor Gyampo fears "that there is always a threat of democratic relapse".