BY Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in partnership with all major national security agencies, is set to conduct a large-scale Joint Show of Force Exercise on Thursday, December 11, 2025, across key streets in Accra.
The operation, scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. from the Black Star Square and return to the same point, forms part of ongoing multi-agency preparations to enhance security readiness ahead of the festive season.
According to a press statement issued by the Department of Public Relations of the GAF at the General Headquarters, Burma Camp, the exercise will involve coordinated participation of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
The agencies aim to deter criminal elements, reassure the public, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation to bolster national security.
The Armed Forces noted that the exercise may increase security visibility within the capital and result in temporary traffic disruptions.
However, residents are encouraged to continue their normal activities as the operation is described as a routine security drill.
Historical Context And Political Reactions
This announcement has revived longstanding public debate about the political use of state security displays in Ghana.
Critics, particularly from the opposition, argue that such demonstrations have historically been used as intimidation tactics rather than purely operational exercises.
They recall similar incidents under late President John Evans Atta Mills, when the government placed national security on “red alert,” sparking public concern despite no apparent threats at the time. It was also during that period that the Special Forces Unit within the military was established, which publicly showcased its capabilities during Independence Day celebrations at the Independence Square.
The practice continued during the John Mahama administration. Notably, during the 2012 election petition hearing, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly launched nationwide shows of force, an action many interpreted as a political signal
They also point out that during heightened tensions, including Western Togoland secessionist activities and coup-related conversations under the Akufo-Addo government, no such public alerts or mass deployments were announced.
The latest operation comes at a time when the current administration has publicly indicated plans to track and arrest individuals through digital footprints and IP addresses—a move that has also drawn scrutiny from civil society and opposition figures. For critics, the timing of the upcoming exercise reinforces concerns of political intimidation ahead of a tense national atmosphere.
Calls for Redirection of Security Focus
Opposition commenters argue that if security agencies intend to demonstrate strength, such efforts should be directed toward areas experiencing persistent violent conflict, including Bawku and other northern flashpoints. Others note that soldiers and police officers are frequently attacked in illegal mining (galamsey) hotspots, questioning why “show of force” exercises are rarely deployed in these areas where security personnel face real threats.
They stress that the presence of the Armed Forces would be far more beneficial in communities ravaged by galamsey operations—where forest destruction, polluted rivers, and attacks on security officers have become common—than in the relatively peaceful capital.
The public is divided between those who welcome the exercise as a necessary measure to ensure safety during the busy December period and those who view it as a continuation of what they describe as “old antics” of instilling fear and asserting political dominance.
