Former President Rawlings has labeled as absurd, the banning of seven former service commanders from military installations in the name of national security. A statement signed by his spokesman, Kofi Adams, quotes the former President as saying, “This absurdity can only emanate from a guilty and desperate NPP government incapable of facing the December 7 elections without fraud and violence.” The statement said the motive for the ban is to lockout the noble intentions of the Generals who are trying to safeguard the integrity of the elections. The affected commanders, whose restriction was announced in a press statement signed by the National Security Coordinator, Sam Amo, Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo, former General Officer Commanding; Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, twice Chief of Defence Staff; Real Admiral Owusu Ansah, former Chief of Naval Staff; Mr. C.K Dewornu, former Inspector General of Police; Mr. F.Y Asare, former Greater Accra Regional Police Commander; Mr. Bruce Konuah, former Defence Advisor to Pakistan and Mr. W.K. Aboah former Commissioner of Police. The ban follows a meeting of the seven and others with former President Rawlings, at which national security concerns were raised. The statement quotes the ex-President as saying that the NPP; hiding behind the national security apparatus is deliberately skewing the reasons behind his meeting with the affected retired Generals, to sow seeds of fear and subsequently intimidation – something which has been the plan of the NPP long before the meeting with the retired security bosses. “I held that meeting with the retired officers to urge them to join hands in ensuring peace and unity ahead of what promises to be a watershed election in Ghana’s history. This call was aimed at encouraging retired service personnel to make themselves available to augment efforts of their service counterparts in deterring any possible misdeeds by armed thugs or discordant incidents that may occur on Election Day. The NPP has rather grabbed the opportunity to create the false impression that someone or groups of persons are out to destabilise the country,” President Rawlings stated. The former President said the action to place the ban should be seen by Ghanaians as a clear manifestation of the NPP’s desperation and cautioned all Ghanaians to be alert because contrary to the impression being created that he and the former security officials met to discuss plans to throw the country into confusion, it is the NPP which rather has covert plans to perpetuate violence in the run-up to the elections because there is a clear indication that they will lose. “These former service chiefs are distinguished citizens of Ghana whose reputations are being maligned by a paranoid government which has no modicum of respect left in its approach to issues.” Ex-President Rawlings called on all Ghanaians to join hands in ensuring peace and security and be wary of persons and institutions that claim to protect the citizenry but are rather operating to protect the ruling party to perpetuate its stay in power. He said meetings aimed at ensuring peaceful elections will continue and enjoined religious, traditional and opinion leaders as well as well-meaning members of society to join the effort to preserve the sanctity of the right of choice and the electoral process. “This is not the sole responsibility of the retired Generals and Service Commanders.”