Chemogoh Kevin Dzang - Retirement From The Navy

Retirement From The Navy

The Head of State, with the concurrence of colleagues in the SMC, delegated the Chief of Naval Staff, as Chairman of the Military Advisory Council (MAC). The successful discharge of responsibilities under this highly sensitive position of trust required dedication and diplomacy. It certainly was no mean task chairing a Council of all the Senior Officers and those in active Command positions in the Armed Forces. As the mandate was all-inclusive, MAC could therefore discuss any subject affecting the Armed Forces, the Government and Ghana in general, providing suggestions and advice to the SMC government. As the Chairman, the responsibility rested with Dzang to convey the advice and/or recommendations to the SMC, of which the Chief of Naval Staff was also a member - a duality which potentially put Dzang in a delicate situation. The bearer of bad news can sometimes be mistaken as bad news itself, exposing the bearer to the wrath of the recipients. In due course, this dilemma befell the Chairman of MAC and he was promptly relieved of the duties of Chief of Naval Staff and Navy Commander, and hence his membership of the SMC and as the Chairman of MAC. For reasons of confidentiality, and pressed several times, Dzang declined further elaboration of this matter. Dzang handed over his duties and went into farming to eke out a living. Fortunately, the “Operation Feed Your Self” policy of the military and the SMC was successful and many hardworking Ghanaians were reaping successes in farming. The first few years were difficult for a ‘salt horse’ from the Navy, but eventually some good progress was made and life outside the Armed Forces was bearable.