According to a summary of world broadcasts published by the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) of 24 May 1988, the commander of the Civil Defence Organisation, Brigadier Ken Addy was reportedly removed and replaced by a retired Lt-Col, Alex Antwi, who was charged with the task of reorganising the CDO. The broadcast further reports that "all CDO personnel within the city of Accra, except those on specified assignments" had been ordered to surrender their weapons to the national headquarters by noon of the previous day (BBC, 24 May 1988).

The CDO was active in 1989. In May 1989 there were clashes between the Konkombas and Dagombas in Mamprusi area in the Northern District of Ghana (BBC, 9 May 1989). In an effort to curb the violence, the Northern Regional Secretary reportedly asked the Paramount chief to advise chiefs in the area to ask their people to surrender their arms either to the nearest police station or the CDO office (BBC, 9 May 1989). The same source further reports that the government ordered the CDO and the police to ensure that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and the Church of Jehovah's Witnesses comply with the government directive ordering a freeze on their activities in June 1989 (BBC, 16 June 1989).

The Civil Defense Organisation (CDO) was set up to help the "government implement socioeconomic programmes designed to meet the aspirations of the nation" (People's Daily Graphic, 27 May 1987). The basic functions of the CDOs were to implement "a civic awareness programme and the militia programme", with the civil programme designed to make CDOs prepare the "entire population for specific emergency situations" (People's Daily Graphic, 27 May 1987). However, according to West Africa magazine, militiamen of the CDOs have been doing the work of security agencies (26 March-1 April 1990). Militiamen have reportedly engaged "in cheating members of the public" but those engaged in such actions were warned of the severe punishment they may encounter (West Africa, 26 March-1 April 1990). In July 1990, the Commander of the Civil Defence Organisation, Col. Alex Antwi, warned the militiamen against confrontation with other PNDC support groups such as the CDRs and admitted that CDOs should have not acted as debt collectors (West Africa, 16-22 July 1990).

Further information on the activities of the CDOs is included in the attached excerpts listed below:

"Tehn-Addy Explains the Role of CDOs", People's Daily Graphic, 27 May 1987.

"CDOs Role", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing, 26 March-1 April 1990.

"Debt Collecting", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing, 16-22 July 1990.