The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is facing significant controversy amid allegations of ethnic favoritism and regulatory breaches.
At the heart of this storm is Colonel Moses Nanyun Nankpan, service number GH 3257. His rapid advancement through the military ranks has sparked widespread anger and concern among service members.
Born on June 6, 1969, Colonel Nankpan was commissioned into the Pay Corps on September 3, 2004. His swift rise, surpassing the rank of Major—a typical ceiling for Special Duty Commissioned Officers—has raised serious questions within the Armed Forces.
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According to GAF regulations, Special Duty Officers are not permitted to advance beyond the rank of Major. Therefore, Colonel Nankpan’s subsequent promotions to Lieutenant Colonel and then full Colonel are particularly contentious.
The controversy is further fueled by allegations of political interference. Colonel Nankpan’s close relationship with Defense Minister Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bimbilla in the Northern Region, has led to suspicions of favoritism.
Critics argue that Colonel Nankpan’s continued service, despite reaching the retirement age of 50 and exceeding the typical 10-year limit for Special Duty Officers, is a clear violation of military regulations.
Compounding the issue are reports that Colonel Nankpan, a former member of the Ghana Military Police, has not completed the rigorous promotion exams or attended the required Junior or Senior Staff Colleges, which are prerequisites for advancement.
Instead, his ascent seems to have been facilitated by his connections, with some alleging that ethnic considerations influenced his promotions.
The case has incited outrage within the military, raising concerns about the integrity of the promotion process and its impact on the cohesion and professionalism of the Armed Forces.
The situation escalated when it was revealed that Colonel Nankpan, an ethnic Konkomba and former Military Attaché to Nitiwul, was sent to China on study leave to pursue a PhD. The GAF reportedly sanctioned this move, and upon his return, Colonel Nankpan is expected to serve an additional three years, further extending his military career.
There are growing calls for an investigation into the circumstances of Colonel Nankpan’s promotions and the broader implications for GAF’s adherence to its own regulations.
This controversy has also highlighted issues of governance within the military, raising critical questions about the influence of politics and ethnicity within this crucial state institution.
