Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Staff College to actively contribute to the nation’s digital progress, aligning with the government’s digitization agenda.
Speaking at a graduation event in Accra on August 18, 2023, Dr. Bawumia recognized the historical ties between the military and technological advancements, noting that their collaboration has led to innovations like microwave ovens, computers, GPS technology, and the internet.
“The military and technology are inseparable,” Dr. Bawumia emphasized. “Hence, I look forward to the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly GAFCSC, to contribute strategies that will support the government’s digitization goals.”
He urged the GAFCSC to develop programs that foster digital awareness and cybersecurity expertise among the youth.
Commending the impact of the institution, he highlighted its influence not only on Ghanaians but also on military personnel from other African nations.
“As a citadel of knowledge, GAFCSC has become a national asset with a distinguished role in Africa,” Dr. Bawumia stated, urging the college to leverage its enhanced reputation to explore additional areas for national development.
Furthermore, he reassured the Armed Forces of the government’s unwavering support, including infrastructure expansion.
The ceremony marked the joint graduation of the Senior Command and Staff Course 44 and the Master of Science in Defense and International Politics Class of 2023.
Drivers at the Kumasi-Bawku bus terminal have recommenced their services following a temporary suspension of loading.
The suspension was in protest against an assault on one of the buses owned by the terminal at Walewale in the North East Region, which occurred last Friday.
The Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces provide escorts for buses heading to Bawku and other North destinations to ensure safety.
Drivers expressed concern about the threats to their livelihood and fear when transporting passengers in the North.
The terminal’s leadership appreciates the security agencies’ intervention but calls for more effective measures to protect lives.
Spokesperson Anasara George Akolgo appeals for stronger police escorts on the route from Savelugu to Bolga to enhance safety.
The attack in Walewale resulted in one death and several injuries, prompting the GPS to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent online recruitment and enlistment exercises.
In a press release, the GAF stated that they have observed a fake press release circulating on social media, instructing interested applicants to send their summary reports and contact details to a fraudulent email address: ghforces37@gmail.com.
Furthermore, the false document references a supposed press release from the Finance Ministry to the GAF, claiming that recruitment of new officers in all sectors has been postponed due to financial constraints faced by the government.
The GAF strongly advises individuals to be cautious and refrain from engaging with such fraudulent activities.
They emphasize that the official channels for GAF recruitment will be duly announced through the appropriate channels and not through unofficial means.
The GAF encourages the public to verify any information regarding recruitment exercises directly from their official sources to ensure accuracy and legitimacy.
By raising awareness of this issue, the GAF aims to protect aspiring applicants from falling victim to scams and maintain the integrity of their recruitment process.
“Additionally, the fake document makes reference to a purported press release by the Finance Ministry to GAF about holding on recruitment of new officers across all sectors due to financial constraints on the part of government,” the statement reads.
The 63rd Republic Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 1 with a parade, according to the National Cadet Corps Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, other Security Services, and the National Youth Authority.
The event will take place in the famous Black Stars Square, which stands for the nation’s pride and unification.
‘Esprit De-Corps, Our Strength and Purpose’ is the subject for this year’s festival.
The main objective is to emphasize the value of patriotism, accuracy, discipline, volunteerism, unity, teamwork, and a common sense of purpose in promoting national growth and advancement among Ghana’s youth, who represent the country’s future.
“Her presence reflects the government’s commitment to youth development and the recognition of the National Cadet Corps as a vital institution shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Republic Day event promises to be a memorable and inspiring occasion, filled with vibrant displays by Cadets drawn from educational institutions in all 16 regions of Ghana across the country to showcase the training and skills through captivating drills and demonstrations, reflecting the core values of the National Cadet Corps Ghana.
All attendees have been asked to adhere to a formal dress code with a touch of the colours of the national flag – red, gold and green – to symbolize national pride and cultural heritage.
TheGhana Armed Forces(GAF) has conducted a religious induction ceremony at the Garrison Methodist-Presbyterian Church, Burma Camp, Accra, for the newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe.
This follows his appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff of the Ghana Air Force by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on January 26, 2023.
Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, at the induction, commended the inductee on his elevation, saying, throughout his career, he had demonstrated decisive, strong, and impactful leadership with courage and a high sense of loyalty.
“He is a man of great honour and has inspired many with his outstanding love for this profession.”
“Air Vice Marshal Bekoe takes great pride in taking care of his Airmen, he is thus a leader whom others look up to,” he added.
The CDS implored members of the Force to give their new Chief of Air Staff the expected support.
Air Vice Marshal Bekoe said his vision was to, together with his members, build a resilient and thriving Air Force to the safeguard peace and security of Ghana and the Subregion.
He stressed his commitment to building the capacities of his men and women, as well as facilitate the effective retooling of the Force to enhance their operations.
He commended all former Chiefs of the Air Staff, saying, he would be building on the solid foundation they laid.
Air Vice Marshal Bekoe urged the Government to keep retooling the Force to enhance its operations and support to its sister forces.
The event was graced by dignitaries, including Ministers of State,Members of Parliament, officials from the Presidency, traditional and religious leaders.
Prior to his appointment, Air Vice Marshal Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe was the Air Officer Special Duties at the Jubilee House and was responsible to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency on all matters relating to the Presidential aircraft.
Before then, he was the Base Commander of Air Force Base, Accra, from January 2016 to January 2019.
Air Vice Marshal Bekoe was born on Sunday, May 28, 1967 at Akim Oda in the Eastern Region of Ghana but hailed from Tutu-Akwapim.
He had his basic education at Hecta International School at Akim Oda and later proceeded to St. John’s Grammar Secondary School, Accra.In 1985 he obtained the West Africa Examination Council Certificate (0 Level) and continued to Accra Academy where he obtained GCE Advanced Level Certificate (A Level) in 1987.
He enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy, Teshie on November 11, 1988 as a Flight Cadet after completing the Standard Military Course at Teshie, he continued to the Fiying Training School in Takoradi for Ground School in preparation for flying training.
Air Vice Marshal Bekoe has served the Ghana Air Force in various capacities, giving him a sound knowledge of Air Force matters both at the Staff and Operational levels.
He is married to Mrs Rosette Okyere Bekoe and they are blessed with two daughters Frederica and Flora aged 25 and 22, respectively.
The minister of defense, Dominic Nitiwul, and Lu Kun, the ambassador of China to Ghana, broke ground on nine building projects for the Ghana armed forces on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
The projects which will be built by the China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Company Limited (CR5), will be sited at the Army Recruit Training Schoolat Shai Hills, the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor-Sogakope, Air Force Training School at Takoradi and the Battle Training Camp, Bundase.
The projects will provide critical assets to enhance training levels, improve accommodation conditions and meet the operational needs of GAF personnel.
The Minister for Defence, Honourable Dominic Nitiwul speaking at the ceremony stated that the China Military Aid Gratis Project has come at a better time to help GAF in solving itsinfrastructure needs since GAF will need additional accommodation for 12,000 troops within the next five (5) years.
The Minister for Defence commended HE Lu Kun, the Chinese Military and all stakeholders for ensuring the commencement of the projects.
The Chinese Ambassador in his address expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians and Chinese officials who facilitated the implementation of the projects.
He congratulated the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) as the first Training School in West Africa to receive United Nations (UN) Certification to train personnel for Peace Support Operations.
HE Lu Kun stated that Ghana was the second country in the Sub-Saharan whose diplomatic relations with China have been continuously consolidated and cooperative in various fields.
He revealed that through various means such as Port calls, joint exercises and training, China has provided strong support to African countries in strengthening National Defence and launched an assistance programme to help train African Military personnel in the area of Law and Order, UN Peacekeeping missions, Anti-Piracy and Counter-terrorism.
He further commended Ghana for being ranked in the top ten (10) Troop Contributing Countries to UN Missions and expanding its military to defend the nation against internal and external threats.
President Akufo-Addohas paid a visit to Ghanaian troops operating on peacekeeping duty in Guinea-Bissau in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The president was accompanied by the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo. President Akufo-Addo visited the Ghana Company (GHANCOY 1), which is part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).
The visit took place on Monday, May 15, 2023, as part of President Akufo-Addo’s official two-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau, following an invitation from President Embalo.
The primary purpose of the visit was for the Commander-in-Chief to meet with the ESSMGB-GHANCOY 1 and personally assess the well-being of the troops and their effectiveness in carrying out their mission since their deployment to the operational area in June 2022.
During the visit, several activities were conducted, including a guard of honour, a parade display by GHANCOY 1, and the mounting of a special Presidential Quarter Guard in honor of President Akufo-Addo.
The President also toured the camp, interacted with Ghanaian troops, and commissioned a project undertaken by GHANCOY.
Welcoming the Presidents, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) David Korsah, the Combat Team Commander of ESSMGB GHANCOY 1, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire Ghanaian Contingent. Lt Col. Korsah described the visit as historic and memorable for three reasons.
Firstly, he highlighted that the visit demonstrated President Akufo-Addo’s unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy in Africa, as evidenced by his track record.
Secondly, he added that it showcased the President’s confidence in the GAF hierarchy and personnel.
Lastly, he maintained that it marked the first time in approximately 28 years that a Ghanaian President has visited GAF troops engaged in an external operation.
Lt Col. Korsah assured President Akufo-Addo that he and his troops would continue to proudly represent Ghana, enhance the country’s image, and serve as worthy ambassadors.
President Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, commended the contingent for their discipline and professionalism, assuring them of his full support. At the conclusion of his speech, the President made a donation to the contingent.
The president also commissioned a newly constructed accommodation and office building named after the Chief of Defence Staff Seth Amoama “AMOAMA BLOCK” in honor of the Vice Admiral, who played a crucial role in securing funds for the project.
Notable attendees at the visit included Professor Hamidou Boly, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission (SRPC), Brigadier General AM Grema, ESSMGB Force Commander, and Colonel ATM Kore,Deputy Force Commander.
The visit underscored President Akufo-Addo’s support for the troops and his dedication to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, members of theGhana Armed Forces(GAF)discovered roughly 10,000 kg of ammonium nitrate and over 20,000 pieces of dynamite-like explosive charges that had been made from the substance.
Most of the ammonium nitrate was concealed in flour and rice sacks.
The ammonium nitrate and explosives were seized during a military operation led by personnel of the 2nd Infantry Battalion at the premises of Mohammed Brothers Company Limited and Dakete Mines in Tarkwa.
The operation was premised on detailed intelligence aimed at clamping down on the manufacture, sale, and use of illegal dynamite in parts of the country, especially mining areas.
13 people made up of 8 Chinese, 3 Togolese, an Ivorian, and a Nigerian were arrested during the operation.
The Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) has warned the public against false job postings.
GAF claims to have observed a phony online connection promoting hiring for the years 2023 and 2024.
GAF wishes to caution the general public to desist from patronizing this fraudulent link (https://recruitmentfile.net/gaf.recruitment/), which is being circulated on social media platforms, especially WhatsApp and Facebook.
A statement issued said “GAF wishes also to state that it is not conducting any enlistment or recruitment at this material time, and has not advertised such for the year 2023/2024. The public and persons interested in joining GAF should stick to the certified and official channels that GAF uses in announcing recruitments and enlistment exercises; that is the national dailies. (Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times)
“GAF once again reiterates that, it does not advertise on social media and does not engage middlemen in such exercise. Therefore, the public should take heed of the education and numerous reminders to desist from paying monies through ‘mobile money’ to unscrupulous persons who claim to be recruitment agents of GAF.”
It added “GAF further states that, in conjunction with other Security Services, such unscrupulous persons engaged in the fraudulent act are continuously being tracked down and those arrested will be dealt with severely according to the law.
“Once again, GAF wishes to state that it is not conducting any 2023/2024 recruitment/enlistment exercise at this material time. The public is kindly advised to take note and report any advertisement and persons soliciting monies for such exercises, to the nearest Military Installation or Police Station. GAF requires the cooperation of the public to nib their fraudulent activities in the bud.”
Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jr. has criticized the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for deploying soldiers to Ashaiman to attack locals in retaliation for the murder ofImoro Sherrif, a 22-year-old military trainee.
The young soldier was stabbed to death and left in the community by some unknown assailants.
Reason(s) for the murder of the soldier is sketchy, however there are reports that he may have been killed over a woman.
Following the murder, a group of soldiers were conveyed to the Ashaiman community and residents caught were subjected to severe beatings.
Addressing the issue during Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ morning show, Kwesi Pratt sought to find out if there is any concrete evidence pointing the young soldier’s death to attacks by residents at Ashaiman, hence questioning the logic in the military besieging the community and whipping them.
“Do we know who killed the soldier? How then do we boldly say it is the people of Ashaiman who killed him? Does seeing a soldier dead in Ashaiman mean the Ashaiman residents killed him?”, he queried.
He argued that “nobody knows who killed the young man”, so “we can’t assert that what or those who killed him are from Ashaiman“.
To him, “investigations into suspected murder, it is Police duties, not military duties”.
He also added that the security personnel, in this case the Military, are supposed to be friends of civilians, not tormentors.
“I’ve heard people saying we should fear the soldiers . . .we are to love those who protect us, not fear them.”
The brutalization of Ashaiman residents on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 by members of the Ghanaian Armed Forces has reignited discussions about instances where the Armed Forces, in the opinion of the majority of Ghanaians, engaged in misconduct and violated the rights of citizens.
The incident in Ashaiman has some people thinking back to the time when Ghana was under military rule, when some soldiers would randomly attack innocent civilians and even murder some of them.
Raymond Acquah of the Multimedia Group has revisited a 1982 story that demonstrates how military officers clashed with civilians and violated their rights during the military era as discussions about the Ashaiman incident gain traction.
He shares the story of how one Major Joe Darko of the Ghana Army Medical Corps, Kumasi stormed a church with a pistol to order the church members to stop the service and fill potholes.
The pastor and the church members per the narrative rejected the order, pleading to carry out the assignment when they are done with the service.
Their plea fell on the good ears of the major who left the church but the leaders of the church followed it up with an official complaint to the military hierarchy about the conduct of the major.
The major was queried about the said incident which infuriated him, forcing him to go back to the church with his pistol and threatened them.
His presence sparked a clash and he, in the process discharged his firearm which injured a police officer who was a member of the church.
His driver who escaped, informed the military officers about the incident which sparked a wave of attacks on the church members and their communities, resulting in the death of a police officer and a football fan.
The Accra High Court’s Financial and Economic Crime Division 2 has sentenced Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, the former minister of youth and sports, to seven days in jail for contempt of court.
A perpetual injunction prohibiting the former minister, who was the defendant, from trespassing on property was given by the court in a judgment on June 12, 2019, but he disobeyed the ruling.
The court also fined him GH¢12,000 or in default serve 30 days in prison.
If paid, the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, ordered that GH¢5,000 out of the fine should be paid to Kofi Ammoah Kwafo, the man, who initiated the contempt application against Dr Ahmed, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Director-General of Logistics of theGhana Armed Forces(GAF).
The contempt motion originated from a land litigation case, six years ago, in which Dr Ahmed, a former Member of Parliament for Ayawaso North, sold land to Mr Kwafo, in the year 2000, and repossessed it with the excuse of having made a mistake.
In the contempt application, the applicant, Mr Kwafo, attached the Chief of Defence Staff and the Director-General of Logistics because personnel of the GAF, occupying a property built on the land in dispute resisted execution of the judgement of the court.
Justice Asare-Botwe, who is a Court of Appeal judge, sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, noted in her judgement that both Chief of Defence Staff and the Director-General of Logistics were not personally served with copies of the court land litigation judgement of 2019.
In his affidavit in support and written address, Mr Kwafo stated that the respondents conducted themselves in a manner as to bring the administration of justice into disrepute by defying the authority of the court.
For instance, the applicant argued that the first respondent, purportedly disposed of the property to the GAF, in 2017, which document was executed in 2018 and the application for registration, therefore, having been made in 2021 when the judgement of the court was already handed down.
Mr Kwafo said that the officers of the GAF were in contempt of court when they resisted the execution of the judgement of the court.
Mr Kwafo was represented by Mr Kwaku Osei Asare as counsel.
Counsel for Dr Ahmed, Mr Christopher A. Fynn, in his written submission, stated that his client cannot be found to be in contempt since no evidence had been canvassed to show that he had fallen in breach of any order, direction or judgement of the court to merit such action.
He denied having backdated the assignment of the sub-matter to the GAF or any other allegation of fraud and stated that, this was a ploy to enforce the judgement handed down by the court by a means other than what was prescribed by the rules of court.
The former minister stated that the applicant was deploying an incompetent process in bringing the application to incite the court against him and the other respondents.
The Chief of Defence Staff and the Director of Logistics told the court that there was no evidence of a writ of possession having been properly obtained and served them as they had not been parties to the suit.
It was their case that posting the judgement on the property and writing to the GAF was not a proper procedure for notifying them of the judgement.
Over 150 of the 184 people who were detained by the military in a raid in Ashaiman on March 7, 2023, according to Ernest Nogbey, the member of parliament for Ashaiman, have been freed.
The MP noted that the other 30 are still being held in military custody after witnessing the released individuals.
Following the assassination of a military officer, Trooper Sherriff Imoro, who was allegedly stabbed in the town on Saturday, March 4, 2023, military personnel brutalized citizensin Ashaiman on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Ernest Nogbey in an interview with Citi News said they will push till all arrested residents are freed.
“Out of the 184 [detained by the military], 150 have been released. As we speak, we have about 34 yet to be released by the military, and they state that they are just screening them”.
“So by close of today [March 9] we will know whatever outcome may come from the screening. I just met with the 150 including their families and calmed the situation down and assured them that we are going to take charge of the situation and also provide some leadership for them so none of them should take the law into their hands,” the Ashaiman MP said.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a statement justified the brutalities adding that the raid was not to avenge the death of the soldier but to fish out perpetrators of heinous crimes.
GAF announced that its high command sanctioned the swoop.
Former president, John Dramani Mahama, has sent his condolences to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the family of the military officer, Sherif Imoro Trooper, who was killed in Ashaiman.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of one of our soldiers, at such a young age, in Ashaiman. Lordina and I extend our deepest condolences to his bereaved and grieving family, and the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces,” the former President said in a Facebook post said.
Military personnel stormed Ashaiman on Tuesday dawn March 7, 2023, with helicopters and armoured vehicles, to torture civilians following the murder of a military officer, Trooper Sherrif Imoro, who was allegedly stabbed in the town on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
The reasons for his murder are currently not known.
The former President advised the military to refrain from meting out extra-judicial justice to them adding that there are many people who live and work in Ashaiman who are innocent of this heinous crime.
He further advised the military to exercise restraint and allow due process to work.
“As your former Commander in Chief, I do appreciate how such unexpected deaths affect the Force. However, I encourage you to exercise restraint and allow due process to investigate, apprehend, prosecute and punish the perpetrator(s) of the dastardly act. There are obviously many people who live and work in Ashaiman who are innocent of this heinous crime. The military must, therefore, refrain from meting out extra-judicial justice to them,” Mr. Mahama admonished.
He called on the government to step in to address the situation between Ashaiman residents and GAF and thus called for compensation for all persons affected.
“I also sympathise with the victims of the torture in Ashaiman as a result of this unfolding death of a serving soldier.
I pray we find peace and harmony in our dear country, as the government and state institutions immediately step in to address this potentially inflammatory development between Ashaiman and the Ghana Armed Forces; including providing commensurate compensation for all persons affected,” the former President suggested.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a statement justified the brutalities adding that the raid was not to avenge the death of the soldier but to fish out perpetrators of heinous crimes.
GAF announced that its high command sanctioned the swoop.
The Ghana Armed Forces in the statement announced that following the operation at Ashaiman-Taifa and Tulaku, the military personnel picked up about 184 suspects aged between 21 and 47 years old and have since handed them over to the Military Police.
GAF said the suspects will later be handed over to the police for screening and further action.
The MP for the area said 150 persons have so far been released by the military.
On the back of a swoop by some military men carried out at Ashaiman in Accra on Tuesday following the murder of a young military officer identified as Trooper Imoro Sherrif, many celebrities and the general public have taken to various social media platforms to express their disgust.
Trooper Imoro Sherrif is reported to have been stabbed to death by some unidentified persons at Ashaiman, leading the military to storm the area to brutalise residents.
“GAF wishes to state categorically that the military operation, which was sanctioned by the Military High Command, was NOT to avenge the killing of the soldier but rather to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime,” the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said in a statement while adding that they picked up about 184 suspects aged between 21 and 47 years old.
These individuals, according to the statement, have since been handed over to the Military Police.
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Kwaku Amankwa Manu has stated that the government will not offer any apology for the presence of armed military men in Ashaiman.
According to him, while the government feels sorry for the alleged incidents of violence meted out to civilians during the operation, it is not in the books of the government to apologise for the operation which has been deemed by some critics as unlawful.
“I think that it is only proper that we admit when there are excesses and in operations of this nature, you may get one or two people who may get carried away and so I mean if decent, innocent residents of Ashaiman were caught up in these operations, I, in my capacity as the deputy Defence Minister will want to apologise for that. That, of course, we will apologise, but my brother, we are not going to apologise for the operation,” he told Joynews in an interview.
The development has triggered reactions from the general public with some condemning the act while others have mounted spirited defense for the military.
Below are some reactions from some celebrities.
The statement does not only confirm everything we’ve suspected; it was sanctioned by the top military brass. Zero consequences for the actions of the crass soldiers involved in this dastardly act. Aren’t such so called swoops pic.twitter.com/4PdQZBkrPn
When does the military arrest and investigate crime?
Whatever the nature of the crime, it’s not the Military’s job and they know it. The only reason that ill- prepared, inconsequential statement is out is because of the public outrage. It was a revenge attack! Own up to it…
If by tomorrow dem no find the perpetrators of the crime ebe safe to say their method too be useless!! Dem beat people for free! Abi you say you don’t trust the police dema method…..you used your method and it didn’t yield any result! Go back to the drawing board!
The Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has warned it will resist continuous attacks on its officers who are deployed on national assignments.
The Command is worried about the attacks on its troops who embark on operations to stop the activities of illegal miners (galamsey) within the Command’s area of responsibility.
“The posture of some locals towards troops on anti-galamsey operations has been a cause of worry to us. Some of these individuals wield deadly weapons against troops all in an attempt to frustrate troops in undertaking their legally function duty. It is my hope that the youth will be called upon by stakeholders to caution the youth to avoid any clash with the military and other security agencies”, says the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour.
He was speaking during the end-of-year gathering of the Central Command in the Ashanti Region.
For him, the Armed Forces remain resolute in the fight against illegal mining despite challenges the troops face on the grounds.
“It is worthy to note that, 2022 recorded the arrest of several illegal miners and seizure of their equipment. This goes to attest our readiness in dealing decisively with the perpetrators of this monstrous act.”
Brigadier General Joseph Aphour also cautioned officers to refrain from unprofessional conduct.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has resurrected the issue about the withdrawal of his military protection as he describes the action as politically motivated.
Mr. Bagbin who questioned the basis for the action says it is puzzling that the state maintained what he calls battalion for the Electoral Commission Boss even after withdrawing the few military personnel attached to his office.
The Ghana Armed Forces in January withdrew the military personnel attached to the security detail of the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
Government has dismissed suggestions that the withdrawal of the military attachment to the Speaker of Parliament by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is an attempt to stifle his protection.
But speaking on the issue publicly for the first time during an engagement with the parliamentary press corps, Mr Bagbin listed a number of individuals whose offices are relatively below that of the speaker of Parliament yet enjoying military protection.
“The Chief Justice has a military, as well as Ministers, have their own and each Supreme Court Judge but the EC Chair has a battalion. My brothers at the Ministry of Defense and Interior both have and the Attorney General has his own. The same as the Minister for Finance but the Speaker is not entitled to a military,” he bemoaned.
“When I was second deputy Speaker, the Office of the same President approved his staff sergeant to by military attaché. For four good years, the staff sergeant was with me.
“Now, I’ve been elected as the Speaker, which is a higher position, and the same president says I’m not entitled to military attachment,” Mr. Bagbin lamented.
Nonetheless, Mr. Bagbin assured the public his security is guaranteed regardless of the withdrawal of the military attachment.
On Friday, March 1, 1963, The Ghanaian Times reported how Ghana had gotten its first two helicopter pilots in the persons of Flying Officers Koranteng and Aholu.
The two, officers of the Ghana Air Force, had become the first of the ten men selected by the Force to carry out duties as pilots of the country’s helicopters.
While little is known about the lives of these two gallant officers, the old newspaper report provides the only details that GhanaWeb has found on the two men as follows:
“Meet the first two of ten pilots chosen by the Ghana Air Force for (sic) to helicopter duties. They have successfully completed their basic and operational rotary wing training in Accra.
“They are Flying Officer Koranteng and Flying Officer Aholu. Both are experienced fixed wing pilots. The Ghana Air Force is equipped with helicopters for rescue, army support and other military duties.
“The high standard achieved by these Ghanaian pilots promises a highly-effective helicopter force in Ghana, a British helicopter expert commented,” it read.
See the photo snippet of the report below:
About the Ghana Air Force via wikipedia.com:
The Ghana Air Force started on 24 July 1959 as a Flying Training School with Israeli instructors and technicians, under the command of Lt. Col. Adam Shatkay of the IAF. The School was established as a cradle of a service to complement the Army and the Navy. Later that year a headquarters was established in Accra under the command of Indian Air commodore K. Jaswant-Singh who was appointed as the first Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
In 1960 Royal Air Force personnel took up the task of training the newly established Ghana Air Force and in 1961 they were joined by a small group of Royal Canadian Air Force personnel. In September 1961 as part of President Kwame Nkrumah‘s Africanization program, a Ghanaian CAS was appointed, with the first being J.E.S. de Graft-Hayford, born in the U.K. of Ghanaian descent.
The Ghana Air Force was in the beginning equipped with a squadron of Chipmunk trainers, and squadrons of Beavers, Otters and Caribou transport aircraft. In addition a DH125 jet was bought for Kwame Nkrumah, Hughes helicopters were bought for mosquito spraying plus DH Doves and Herons. British-made Westland Whirlwind helicopters and a squadron of Italian-made MB-326 ground attack/trainer jets were also purchased.
In 1962 the national School of Gliding was set up by Hanna Reitsch, who was once Adolf Hitler’s top personal pilot. Under the command of Air Commodore de Graft-Hayford, she served as director, operations instructor and trainer of the school. She also acted as the personal pilot of Kwame Nkrumah from 1962–1966.
The GHF headquarters is located at Burma Camp and the main transport airfield is the Air Force Base Accra, which shares the same runway with the Kotoka International Airport. Other GHF airfields include:
• Air Force Base Tamale, which shares its runway with the Tamale Airport.
• GHF Air Force Station Sekondi-Takoradi started as RAF Station Takoradi, then became Ghana Air Force Station Sekondi-Takoradi on 1 March 1961. The Chipmunk Basic Trainer Aircraft was the first aircraft used at the Station with an all Rank Air Force Station.
• GHF Air Force station Accra came into being soon after the Royal Air Force (RAF) had taken over the administration from the Indian and Israeli Air Force officers at the beginning of 1961. The station was housed at No 3 hangar at the Accra Airport (Kotoka International Airport) with hardly any aircraft. The Unit had four main sub-units, i.e. the Administration Wing, Flying Wing, Technical Wing and Equipment Wing. The School of Technical Training was also located at this station. The Station moved from No 3 hangar to its present location in Burma Camp towards the end of 1965.
The role of the Ghana Air Force, as defined in the National Defence Policy, is to provide “Air Transport and Offensive Air Support to the Ghana Armed Forces and to protect the territorial air space of Ghana”. The National Defense Policy states certain specific tasks which the Ghana Air Force is expected to perform:
• To maintain Fighter Ground Attack capability and provide Close Air Support during operation.
• To provide transport support to the Ghana Armed Forces.
• To provide surveillance over the air space of Ghana and over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• To provide liaison and recce flight capability.
• To provide VIP flight capability.
• To provide transport support for civilians as government directs.
• To provide medical evacuation and air rescue assistance.
The Ghana Air Force is also responsible for the co-ordination and direction of Search and Rescue (SAR) within the Accra Flight Information Region.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) has refuted news reports that its officers provide security for groups and individuals engaging in illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’).
The GFA, while reacting to audio-visuals published in the media, said that the person captured in the videos were not military men.
According to the military, investigations conducted into some of the allegations showed that the persons who were captured in military apparel were private security officers who had been contracted to protect legal small-scale mining firms.
“GAF wishes to state categorically that there are no military personnel deployed for such activities and no soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country.
“GAF further wishes to disclose that following reports of the presence of some security persons in uniform within the Aprampramah Forest and Kobro Forest Reserve stretch in Amansie Central, a patrol team from 4 Infantry Battalion and the Central Command Headquarters in Kumasi conducted an operation in the general area on 28 September 2022.
“The military patrol team picked up some individuals dressed in US military-pattern camouflage uniforms working for a private security firm, which has been contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named ‘Elvis and Co Mining Ltd’. These private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel because their camouflage pattern uniforms are even totally distinct from GAF,” parts of a statement issued by the GFA read.
Also, the military said it does not condone its officers engaging in illegal and unauthorised activities, especially galamsey.
It added that it remains committed to the fight against illegal mining and will not engage in activities that will derail the country’s progress in the fight against the menace.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has advised the public to desist from tampering with the perimeter fence or attempting to gain any unauthorised access to military installations for their own safety.
This follows the arrest of a middle-aged man by the Ghana Armed Forces at Michel Camp.
AÂ statement signed and issued by the Director of Public Relations of GAF, Naval Captain M.A. Larbi, said the suspect, Yaw Boateng was arrested in the process of breaching the perimeter fence of the Ammunition Depot.
Yaw Boateng claims he was trying to access the Ammunition Depot to seek aluminum plated materials for sale.
Retrieved materials
In the suspect’s possession were 18 pieces of aluminum plates, iron pickets and a broken street light lamp holder.
The suspect has since been handed over to the CID for further action.
According to the statement, the Base Ammunition Depot is a highly sensitive and restricted security zone which is out of bounds to the public.
The Ghana Armed Forces further warned that encroachers and intruders will face dire consequences for their actions if they fail to pay heed to the warning on the need to stay clear off a high security zone such as the Ammunition Depot.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it is putting in place measures to curb the unlawful sale and use of military-pattern uniforms and accoutrements by individuals and institutions without permits.
Among these measures include the streamlining and coordinating of the issuance and sale of military uniforms and accoutrements by Units and Service Headquarters internally, and the arrest of individuals and institutions involved in the act.
The issuance and sale of military uniforms and accoutrements by the Units and Service Headquarters would be done through Service and Post Exchange Shops, upon proper verification and identification of the personnel.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Director of Public Relations of the GAF, Naval Captain M. A Larbi, and copied to the Ghanaian Times yesterday.
According to the GAF, it had observed with great concern the increasing rate of the unauthorized use of military uniforms by the public despite the continued education and warning issued by the security agency.
This act, the GAF said, created a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnished its image, hence, the need to put an end to it.
“A major concern to GAF is that, notwithstanding the continuous public education and warnings issued to the general public to desist from the unauthorized use of military uniforms, the trend rather appears to be on the increase,†the statement said.
“Noting that these acts create a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnish the image of the military, GAF would not allow this situation to persist and will henceforth step up the arrests of these persons and deal with them drastically but in accordance to the due process of the law,†the statement added.
In the said statement, it explained that the act was an outright contravention of the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD)177 of 1967, which in part states that “no person shall wear or use any military uniforms, equipment, or accoutrements or other material unless he or she is a member of the Armed Forces of Ghanaâ€.
In accordance with the decree, the statement said the GAF recently rounded up some persons who were captured in a viral video wearing different shades of military camouflage uniforms in Kumasi.
However, the GAF said it later came to light that these persons were members of the District Assembly Taskforce who were carrying out duties for the District Assembly.
Additionally, the GAF noted that military personnel who allow relations and friends access to the uniforms and accoutrements or engage in unauthorized disposal of such items would be equally dealt with in accordance with its regulations and the laws of the country.
In view of this, the GAF, therefore implored the cooperation of the general public in its quest to deal with the issue, while advising them to desist from the act as it was prohibited under the NLCD 177.
It also assured the general public of its commitment to protecting the citizenry at all times and therefore called on the support of all to enforce these measures in the interest of the peace and security the country needed for its socio-economic development.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied reports suggesting that a soldier was involved in an alleged armed robbery attack in Tamale.
According to them, the suspect who was captured in a viral video wearing military camouflage is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to several videos and pictures on various social media platforms of the arrest of a car snatching syndicate at Buipe who are alleged to have attacked and snatched a car from a victim at Tamale. In the said videos and pictures, one of the suspects is seen wearing military camouflage uniform and has been described variously as a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces,†the statement indicated.
On January, 23, the Ghana police arrested five suspected robbers in the Savannah Region following a robbery in Tamale.
In a viral video from the Police Station, the five suspects included a soldier allegedly attached to Burma Camp who was in military uniform.
The five robbery suspects were said to have snatched a Toyota Camry saloon car from its owner at a residential area in Tamale and bolted.
However, reports from the police suggest that the Police pursued them and succeeded in arresting them at Buipe.
The police found and retrieved among other things, a G3 Riffle and a pistol.
In a statement by the Acting Director Public Relations, Commander Andy La-Anyane, he indicated that there is a rise in the use of military camouflage by civilians to defraud people.
He however indicated that they are ready to work with the police to unravel the source of the military uniform in this particular incident, to stop sale of military uniforms across the country,
“We wish to state categorically that the suspect is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Armed Forces is worried about the rising spate of impersonation by civilians, either wearing military uniforms or posting of fake pictures of themselves as military officers to defraud unsuspecting Ghanaians. The unauthorised sale of military uniforms and military pattern gadgets by some vendors contributes to this state of affairs and is inimical to national security.â€
Thousands of Ghanaian youth have besieged the El-wak sports stadium with their credentials hoping to be recruited into the Ghana Armed Forces.
The long queue started at dawn on Monday, 19 July 2021.
The applicants, made up of mostly unemployed youth are being taken through various stages including screening, body and height check.
The huge number of applicants had caused vehicular traffic as job seekers queued from the ends of the walls to gain entry into the stadium.
Last week, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, gave financial clearance for the recruitment of close to 12,000 people into the police, prisons, immigration and education services. A total of 11,840 jobs are available to be filled.
The clearance covered the Ministry for the Interior, Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education.
The financial clearance, communicated in six separate letters to the respective institutions said the recruitments will take place on 1 August 2021.
Four of the letters were addressed to the Ministry for the Interior under whose wings the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana Prisons Service fall.
The letter to the Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery, said the Ministry “is hereby granted financial clearance to enable the Comptroller-General of Ghana Immigration Service to recruit 2,000, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service to recruit 2,000, Chief Fire Officer to recruit 2,000 and the Inspector-General of Police to recruit 5,000 personnel to augment the staffing position of the servicesâ€.
“The emoluments of the personnel should be charged against the Compensation of Employees vote of the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, National Fire Service and Ghana Prisons Service, under the Ministry for the Interior in the 2021 Annual Estimatesâ€, the clearance letter stated.
Regarding the National Security Ministry, the letter, dated 21 June 2021, granted financial clearance to enable the National Signals Bureau (NSB) to recruit additional 100 and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to recruit 140 individuals to augment its workforce.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has indicated that, it will institute an internal disciplinary measure to deal with some of the soldiers who were involved in brutalising Wa residents over a missing mobile phone.
In a statement signed by Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director Public Relations, the GAF condemned the acts by the soldiers and stated that, “such unprofessional conduct by the military will not be condoned by any member of the force.â€
The statement explained further that, “[the] unprofessional conduct took place on Thursday, 1 July 2021 and at a time when the Commanding Officer of the soldiers, and the Chairman of the Regional Security Council were both out of town on official engagements.
Internal disciplinary measures have been instituted to deal with all those who will be found culpable in this unprofessional conduct by the soldiers.â€
Armed soldiers assault Wa residents in search of missing mobile phone
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Some armed soldiers have been caught on camera brutalising residents of Wa in the Upper West Region on Thursday, July 1, over a missing mobile phone supposedly belonging to one of the soldiers.
According to one eyewitness, one of the soldiers is believed to have boarded what is referred to as “Yellow Yellow†or “Mahama Cambo†and lost his phone.
The incident is said to have started at 1:00 pm and lasted for close to an hour at the Wa main traffic.
Several of the victims are said to have sustained various degrees of injury.
Two of them are currently on admission at the Wa Municipal Hospital.
A 29-year-old vulcanizer, who was a victim, is suspected to have developed a fracture in his right thigh during the assault.
This comes after soldiers opened fire on protesters at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, leading to the death of two people and four others injured.
The Public Relations Officer of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Cletus Awuni, who was also a victim, told an Accra based Citi FM that, the soldiers dragged him out of a car and interrogated him for filming the incident.
The GAF said, due to the seriousness of the matter, “the Chief of the Army Staff is leading a high-powered military delegation to Wa to meet the traditional and opinion leaders to find an amicable way of resolving this unfortunate incident. The delegation will also explore means to assuage the anger of the people and promote good neighbourliness.â€
“The Ghana Armed Forces once again wishes to assure the people of Wa and the general public that their safety is paramount at all times, as such would not condone any unprofessional conduct by any member of the force,†the statement concluded.
The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been drawn to a report alleging that civilians are being molested by soldiers deployed at Aflao and its environs. We wish to state that, this issue has been investigated, and no soldier has been involved in any such act.
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to use this medium to assure all Ghanaians, and especially the good people of Aflao and the adjoining communities, that the deployment of troops (in conjunction with other security agencies) is to ensure the protection of the citizenry and not to intimidate them.
We also wish to assure all and sundry that troops will uphold the high standards of professionalism in the performance of their duties.
All residents are therefore encouraged to go about their normal duties without any fear or anxiety.
It is further stated that any incident of infraction of the law, involving any Service person, will be thoroughly investigated and the case dealt with in accordance with GAF Regulations.
A vehicle belonging to Ghana Armed Forces has been involved in a near fatal accident at Teacher Mante New Town along the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra to Kumasi highway.
The accident occurred around 3:37 pm Friday, 16 August, 2019.
Three Military personnel onboard the vehicle sustained various degrees of injuries with one reported to be in critical condition.
All the victims were rushed to the Nsawam government Hospital for treatment.
According to an eyewitness, Robert Azaglo, a Staff of Ayensuano District of the National Disaster Management Organization, the Military officers were traveling from Accra direction towards Kumasi but suddenly the Vehicle veered off the road and summersaulted.
The accident comes few days after a similar accident at Zebilla in the Upper East Region which involved Ghana Armed Forces armoured Vehicle with registration number 19 GA 08 which killed one Military personnel onboard and injured two others.
