Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has strongly criticized the Commanding Officer of the Achiase Jungle Warfare School over his warning that individuals disrupting the December 7 elections would face severe punishment.

During an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Friday, November 22, 2024, Kpebu described the comments made by Lt. Col. Jacob Codjoe as disgraceful and accused him of engaging in self-serving behavior.

He speculated that the commander might have made the remarks in a bid to gain favor or secure a promotion from his superiors.

“I’m not surprised, in the military there is something they call eye service or face fine. Basically, you do something like this to catch the attention of superiors and the commander-in-chief for promotion. That is the only way I can understand why he is doing this because why would you say this in a democracy like Ghana?

“We embraced democracy 32 years ago and we still have soldiers coming to talk like we are still in the days of the PNDC or AFRC and the military juntas, then I can ascribe it to eye service,” he said.

Kpebu argued that such remarks are unacceptable in a democratic society, stressing that the military has no place in election-related matters. He urged against deploying the military during the election period, emphasizing the need to safeguard democratic principles.

“It is despicable and must put him in his right place that there is no room for such statements in Ghana. The military had their days when they ruled so they should stay out of this election. We don’t want them coming back to repeat the Techiman South incident. We don’t want that to happen again and nobody has asked Lt. Col. Codjoe to beat citizens and has no right to do so.”

Background

The Commanding Officer of the Achiase Jungle Warfare School in the Eastern Region, Lt. Col. Jacob Codjoe, issued a stern warning to individuals planning to disrupt the peace during the December 7, 2024, elections.

Speaking at a public event in a video circulated on social media, Lt. Col. Codjoe cautioned potential troublemakers to abandon any disruptive intentions. He stressed that the military would take decisive action to ensure order and protect the democratic process.

He said: "I am telling you here that I will come this December 7, but only within the Akyemansa enclave, if the police tell me they cannot handle the situation. And when I come, I will not talk. I will beat you and the hell out of you. I always want people to try me, so any of you seated here can try me or any of my men that day.

"When you go to the polling station, just cast your vote, go home, and sleep. When it’s 5 p.m., come, and they will tell you where to stand. They will count the votes for you, and if you win, clap and go home. Then, you will not have any problem with me and my people. We are not going to sit by and let just two or three people distort the peace that Ghana is enjoying."

His remarks have sparked widespread condemnation from the public, with many questioning the appropriateness of military involvement in electoral matters.

Ghanaians are set to head to the polls on December 7, 2024, to elect a president and members of parliament in what is anticipated to be a pivotal election.