Power, Perception, and Professionalism

Ghana's Evolving Military - Civilian Dynamics in The Fourth Republic (1993–2025)

Abstract

Ghana's civilian-military relations illustrate a dynamic account of institutional change, characterised by historical challenges and progressive democratic consolidation. This research investigates the complexities of power, perceptions, and professionalism from the civil authorities and military institutions, which have shaped Ghana's military to civilian interactions. The paper examines the historical journey of Ghana's military-civilian relations from periods of military interventions to when Ghana became a democratically governed state. It is important to appreciate the transformation of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) from a participating institution to a professional organisation with a civilian orientation. The study used several methods of research, including archival research of historical records, analysis of institutional documents, systematically analysed academic research literature on civilian-military relations and the use of comparative institutional analysis to trace the evolution of Ghana’s military-civilian dynamics. It also utilised the qualitative research methods to interpret historical data and contemporary interactions. Key findings include the nuance of Ghana’s civilian-military interactions, marked by gradual improvements in institutional accountability, public perceptions of the Ghanaian Military/GAF and the overall civilian-military relations landscape in Ghana. The findings highlight the importance of constitutional reforms and organisational professionalism as well as strategic interventions in reshaping the military’s societal role. GAF's engagement in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian efforts and their contributions to national development have contributed significantly to rebuilding public trust. Ultimately this research offers some innovative recommendations for improving civilian oversight of the military, promoting transparency of institutions and continuing methods to sustain democratic engagement and controls, while also providing insights for understanding civilian-military relations in a post colonial African context.