The Defence Minister nominee, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has strongly emphasised that the Police Service should be the first responders to domestic security issues, rather than automatically turning to the military.

Speaking during his vetting before the Appointments Committee on 28th January, he highlighted the importance of keeping law enforcement responsibilities with the police, with military intervention being reserved for exceptional circumstances only.

“We need to understand the doctrine of a soldier,” Dr Omane Boamah explained. “Soldiers are not trained primarily to enforce law and order in the same way police officers are. If the police are able to handle the situation, they should be allowed to do so.”

He further stressed that, while the military has an important role in national security, their involvement should be limited and controlled. “If it becomes necessary to draw on the Ghana Armed Forces, it should be a limited operation,”

Dr Omane Boamah continued: “The presence of the military, particularly in civilian areas, can cause shock and awe, and this should not become the norm.”

Reflecting on the security measures during the last elections, Dr Omane Boamah pointed out that the Ghana Armed Forces were placed on standby, with their deployment only authorised once the Inspector General of Police (IGP) deemed it necessary.

“We saw a few instances where military personnel were deployed, and once the IGP completes his investigation into these events, we will better understand the reasoning behind the movement of troops,” he said.

He cautioned against resorting to military involvement too readily, urging that the police continue to lead in maintaining order. “It’s not simply about saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to military involvement,” Dr Omane Boamah stated.

The key is to find the right balance, ensuring that the Ghana Police Service remains at the forefront of security matters, with the military stepping in only when absolutely necessary.

Dr Omane Boamah reiterated that while the military plays a vital role in national security, the Police Service must always be the dominant force in maintaining law and order within the country.