The National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, was denounced by the University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG) for claiming that some people in academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media were using their platforms to spread untruths in favor of military coups and rule.
In a statement, UG-UTAG underlined that the accusations have a propensity to silence the expression of divergent viewpoints, which it claimed is harmful to Ghana's democracy.
"We strongly disagree with the Minister's statement and strongly condemn it since it has the potential to silence dissenting voices over the use of the people's fiduciary trust in government. Additionally, it has the power to limit their ability to exercise their basic right to free expression.
During an interview with Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Professor Ransford Gyampo, president of UG-UTAG, underlined his rejection of the Minister's remark and emphasized that academics will continue to draw attention to circumstances that lead the military to desire to strike.
"I have not yet come across a professor who openly calls for coups. No academic worth their salt will publicly declare that they support coups, and no one in our group will either, but we will continue to draw attention to some of the political issues in our body that could potentially lead to a situation where the military would feel the need to launch an attack. If the government is sincere, it will address these issues so that we won't reach that point.
A number of other people-centered measures were also advised in the statement to be implemented by the government and those holding political office in order to discourage military coups.
"Good governance, the fight against corruption, proper management of the economy, and the implementation of proactive pro-poor policies, which can help bridge the gap between the poor and the rich, as well as create a vibrant Middle Class in society, are the antidotes to coups and military interventions in politics."
