Documentation for Civil Defense Organization
June 26, 1984
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
The presentation of weapons to the Tema People's Militia, making it the first armed militia group, by the commanding organiser of the National Civil Defence Organisation, Brig Ken Addy, was reported by Accra radio on 24th June. Addy had said this action was necessary as the Tema group guarded vital installations in times of crisis.
June 14, 1985
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
The Chairman of the Civil Defence Organisation, Brig Ken Addy, has declared that the PNDC [Provisional National Defence Council] would make every effort to maintain law and order in the Bawku district. He made the declaration when he called on the Bawkunaba [Paramount Chief of Bawku], Chief Natsama Asigri. Brig Ken Addy said since the passing of PNDC law 99 vesting all lands in the district in the government, attempts have been made by some elements of the Kusasi [tribe in northern Ghana] faction to undermine the smooth process of the law. He said reports reaching his office indicate that some chiefs and elders have been mobilising their people to contribute monies for the purchase of arms.Brig Ken Addy made it clear that it is illegal to purchase arms
May 28, 1986
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
Brigadier Tehn Addy, Commander of the Civil Defence Organisation, CDO, has ordered the immediate closure of the CDO secretariat at the White House, Tema, pending a comprehensive re- organisation and screening of all personnel who recently enlisted into the militia at Tema. An official statement this evening said monitoring of the activities of all units of the militia has revealed that the CDO outfit in Tema has been indulging in activities that are clearly against the revolution and the CDO in general
June 26, 1987
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
On relations between the Civil Defence Organisation [CDO] and the armed forces, Gen Mensah-Wood explained that the CDO would be used to mobilise and organise the people where the forces cannot because of other personal engagements. He however assured them that efforts are being made to streamline the functions of the CDO and the forces to remove any problems in relations between them
May 24, 1988
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
In another incident, a Civil Defence militiaman, Alex Kuma, went [word indistinct] at the Kantamanto market in Accra yesterday [21st May] morning, firing and wounding four people. According to eyewitnesses, Kuma entered into an argument with a market toll collector. . .
Meanwhile, an official statement issued today [22 May] announced that Brig Ken Addy has been removed as commander of the Civil Defence Organisation [CDO]. Lt-Col (Retired) Alex Antwi, a former commander of the Airborne Force and former PNDC regional secretary for Brong Ahafo, has, in the meantime, been assigned with responsibility for the command and reorganisation of the CDO. The acting PNDC Secretary for Interior, Nii Okaidja Adamafio, has also, in the meantime, directed that all CDO personnel within the city of Accra, except those on specified assignments, are to surrender their weapons to the CDO national HQ by noon on Monday, 23rd May 1988.
June 16, 1989
BBC
SOURCE: Text
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Accra, in English 1300 gmt 14 Jun 89
The government has therefore ordered the meeting places of the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses to remain closed throughout the country. The statement directed the inspector general of police and commander of the civil defence organisation to ensure compliance with the directives.
Dec. 30, 1989
Xinhua General News Service
ghanaian leader flt-lt j.j. rawlings today bitterly criticized the unfair economic relations ...earlier, rawlings led contingents from the armed forces, police and the civil defence organisation on a route march through main streets of accra to mark the revolution, which saw rawlings seize power for the second time in ghana.
May 22, 1990
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
Turning to the civil defence organisation, Flt-Lt Rawlings ... noted that some people see it as merely an employment avenue for the jobless. ...the conception was a paramilitary group of people from all walks of life who could be given training to assist in emergencies and provide support to existing law enforcement agencies.
Dec. 3, 1992
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
The New Patriotic Party [NPP] ... the party has given five conditions under which it will agree to participate in the elections.... Another condition is the disbanding of all paramilitary forces such as the CDOs [Citizens Defence Organisation] and CDRs [Committees for the Defence of the Revolution]
Feb. 6, 2001
Africa News
Revolutionary organs loyal to the P(NDC) government have been given two-weeks to hand over all arms and ammunition in their possession.
The organs named are the Progressive Voluntary Organisations (PVO), Association of Committees of the Defence of the Revolution (ACDR) and Civil Defence Organisation (CDO) who together with other individuals and organisations are carrying these weapons unlawfully are expected to hand them over to the security agencies by February 19th
June 10, 2002
Africa News
Rawlings... aimed at creating new sources of security amenable to his will. Hence the establishment of paramilitary outfits such as: the Progressive Voluntary Organisations (PVO), Association of Committees of the Defence of the Revolution (ACDR) and Civil Defence Organisation (CDO). These thugs were given guns at taxpayers expense and these guns were subsequently turned against the citizens in pursuit of "anti-revolutionaries.
