The Defence Minister-designate, Dominic Nitiwul, has justified why soldiers accompany him when he is executing his duty.

The Bimbilla MP told Parliament's Appointments Committee Thursday during his vetting that as the sector Minister, the military accord him that out of courtesy.

"As Defence Minister, sometimes on occasions, the military accompany me to do some things. It is the courtesy I get for my position and I believe you understand some of these things," he told the Chairman.

The Ghana Armed Forces has come under a lot of criticisms after its officers were seen carrying the bags of some lawyers and other public officers during the ongoing election petition.

A former Communications Minister in the Mahama government condemned the Chief of Defense of Staff (CDS) for allowing military officers to escort lawyers to court.

Dr Edward Omane Boamah in a Facebook post condemned the act, saying the then Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Obed Akwa has “desecrated” the military profession by the act.

This was in reaction to a viral photo of a military officer carrying the bag of a lawyer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the election petition.

Dr Omane Boamah stated that “as a former civilian employee of the Ministry of Defence, I know the military is unhappy when such abuses drag their names into opprobrium.

“Soldiers ‘abandoned all forms of normal life’ once you entered the Square. And so we cherish you all. Let this reflect in your stewardship as the fine soldier, calm and decent person that you are,” he added.