Two New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwarts from the Brong-Ahafo Region, who also both retired military officers, Â are in a disagreement over President John Mahama decision to dress in full military regalia as he inaugurated the new Naval Headquarters at Burma Camp in Accra on Thursday.
While former Deputy Minister of Interior in the Kufuor regime, Captain (rtd) Nkrabea Effah-Darteh says the decision by the president was wrong, MP for Nkoranza North, Major (rtd.) Derek Oduro sees nothing wrong with the President's act.Â
In an interview, Capt. (rtd) Effah-Darteh said, "I don't know who advised him to wear the military uniform but I think it was in bad taste because it would bring back memories of General Acheampong, General Akuffo and Flight Lieutenant Rawlings in military uniforms which Ghanaians would like to forget".
Admitting that it was not against the law for President Mahama, being the Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to wear a military uniform, Capt. (rtd) Effah-Darteh, who is also a former MP for Berekum West stated that it was not necessary for President Mahama to dress in military asking that, "Which civilian ruler dresses in military uniform the world over?"Â
But Maj. (rtd.) Oduro thinks the President's decision to wear the uniform was in the right direction.
According to him, President Mahama as the Commander-in-chief had every right to wear the uniform and that his act would "serve as a morale booster for the officers and men of the Ghana Army".