By Nadia Ntiamoah
A scandal involving the unauthorized use of a military officer as a personal bodyguard has led to the suspension of the Director-General of the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), Devine Selasi Agbeti, for two weeks.
The disciplinary action follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Communications, after a probe was initiated into the violation of national security protocols.
The controversy erupted after photos emerged of Agbeti delivering a public address at an event hosted by the Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah, with a uniformed soldier standing directly behind him in what appeared to be a protective posture.
The image, which went viral on both traditional and social media, triggered public outrage and raised questions about the misuse of state security personnel by civilian officials.
The presidency quickly took note of the public reaction and, in a letter dated July 15, 2025, Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, formally expressed concern on behalf of the President.
The letter, addressed to the Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, called the conduct of the Cyber Security Authority boss “a lapse in judgment” and a breach of security and institutional protocols.
“This development suggests a troubling disregard for established security protocols governing the interaction between civilian institutions and the armed forces,” the letter stated.
It further noted that the scene created “a false impression of military endorsement” and blurred the clear lines of authority expected in public service.
The presidency viewed the incident as a potential violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Appointees, and possibly, a misuse of state resources and privilege.
The President ordered the Communication Ministry to urgently demand a written explanation from Agbeti and to initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings.
A preliminary report was expected within seven days.
In compliance with the presidential directive, the Ministry for Communication formally queried Agbeti, who admitted to the incident. As a procedural measure, the Minister subsequently announced a two-week suspension pending the outcome of a full investigation.
A statement from the Ministry emphasized that the suspension is not a final verdict but a necessary step to protect the integrity of the investigative process.
“This is a procedural action to ensure that the inquiry into this serious breach is free of interference and is conducted impartially,” a senior source within the Ministry told 3News.
The use of military personnel by civilian public officeholders without proper clearance is strictly regulated under Ghanaian law.
The Ghana Armed Forces maintains a policy that restricts the deployment of soldiers for personal protection roles, especially in the absence of official approval.
