The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has announced that it rescued over 100 residents of Weija and its environs who were stranded due to the spillage of excess water from the Weija Dam.
According to the army, the residents were rescued in some five communities by its officers from the 48 Engineers on October 4, 2022.
“Personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) conducted rescue operations in the general areas of Tetegu and New Weija following the floods that ensued from the opening of the Weija Dam spill gates.
“The Tuesday 4 October 2022 exercise was conducted as part of OP BOAFO with about 40 GAF personnel partaking in rescue efforts around Tetegu, Sampa Valley, New Weija, White Rose and Top Down. Personnel were able to rescue over 100 stranded residents.
“The Ghana Armed Forces continues to support citizens in these emergency situations as part of its civic duty to help mitigate destruction of property and loss of life,” parts of a Facebook post shared by GFA on October 6, 2022 read.
Like the floods of Accra that have become a perennial occurrence, residents of Weija have once again had to wake up to the devastating effects of the spillage of the Weija Dam by the Ghana Water Company Limited.
The annual spillage of the dam is meant to release excess water from the dam.
The maximum level of water the dam is built to hold is about 46 feet, but the level came up to 48 feet, thereby threatening its safety, hence the decision to spill.
Residents have been forced to move around in canoes, as many houses have been completely submerged under the water.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo knows the top financiers of illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’) in the country.
According to Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the National Security Minister and the other heads of the security apparatus in Ghana have told the president who the kingpins in ‘galamsey’ are.
In a TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, on Monday, Murtala Muhammed alleged that the president has not caused the arrest of these kingpins because he is involved in it.
“The president knows those who are engaged in galamsey, some of them are in the Flagstaff House. The reason why I say he knows is that the president has breakfast (security briefing) with the ministers for interior and national security, every morning,” he said.
“He (the president) knows. He is an accomplice. The reason why I will say he is an accomplice is that he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. He must take action. Now when you have leading members of your party who have been cited and identified, some of them captured on video engaging this and nothing happens, why won’t I say he is an accomplice?” Murtala added.
The MP also alleged that the president is aware of all incidents where the personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces were sent to provide security for illegal miners.
“Military officers were instructed to go provide security for Chinese who are engaged in galamsey. Who instructed them? The Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the president, knew about their presence there,” he said.
He added that even if the president did not know about the incident, he failed to hold persons who were implicated accountable after videos of military men protecting illegal miners were published in the media.
Murtala made these remarks while commending the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for comments he made on the failure of the state to fight illegal mining.
The Asantehene, while addressing a delegation from the US Embassy in Ghana, questioned why Ghana as a country has failed to stop the menace of ‘galamsey’ even after the President, Akufo-Addo, has put his political career on the line to stop it.
Asantehene also questioned why the security apparatus in these ‘galamsey’ areas and the taskforce set up by the government have failed to stop the menace.
He intimated that small-scale mining was something that had been done for several years but never to the detriment of the environment.
“It (‘galamsey’) has gotten to a point where people are now using equipment and all that. They do not care about the environment.
“But the question is who is in control of the security around the area. From the district level to the highest level. We are all talking about ‘galamsey’. The government set up this military cum police to stop galamsey. Why have we not been able to stop it? Why?” he asked.
Meanwhile, 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 persons 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.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF)has denied the allegation of deploying military officials to provide security for some mining firms in Ghana.
On 26 September 2022, an Accra-based media house, Joy news, aired a documentary in which one Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, Mentiahene of Bekwai, alleged that some soldiers have been deployed to offer security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central.
The GAF in a press release signed and issued on Friday, September 30, 2022, by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi describing the reportage as misleading asked the general public to disregard the allegation.
“In a video with some recycled content of past unsubstantiated allegations which have since gone viral, Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, alleges that military personnel are providing security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central. 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.”
Giving more insight into the allegations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi stated that the attire worn by the men seen in the circulated video is not that of the Ghana Armed Forces uniform.
The pattern of the uniform donned by the men is a US military camouflage.
He further alleged that the men in uniform were 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.”
Nonetheless, he said these men working for a private security firm and alleging to be military personnel have been picked up by security agency for investigation.
GAF noted that several impersonators in recent times have also been arrested and handed over to the Police for prosecution.
GAF further pledged its commitment to revamp it operations in order to aid the fight against illegal mining.
“Accordingly, GAF has revamped Operation Halt II in order to intensify its surgical operations to curb the destruction of the forest reserves and pollution of the river bodies.”
Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, the Chief of Defence Staff, has urged officers in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to exercise caution, take responsibility, and adopt cybersecurity best practices into their daily routines and online behavior.
He claimed that for some time, cyberspace had been threatened by hacking, data leaks, social engineering techniques, and cyberfraud.
He claimed that there had been a sharp increase in cybersecurity attacks recently, and the GAF was not exempt.
Vice Admiral Amoama, therefore, said it had become imperative for the officers to enrich their knowledge in Cybersecurity to ensure force’s data was safe from attacks from both internal and external bad actors.
He made the call in Accra yesterday during the launch of this year’s GAF Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Ghana is one of the countries in the world that observe the month of October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The month-long event seeks to intensify the capacity building and awareness creation efforts on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and educate citizens on the importance of good cyber hygiene and cyber best practices.
This year’s occasion will comprise workshops, lectures, demonstrations and training sessions on essentials of cybersecurity and the implications of the use of the social media by all ranks within the GAF.
Weakest link
The CDS said new technology and system would incorporate cybersecurity to guarantee and ensure system integrity, resilience and robustness.
However, he said research had established that the user, which is the human element, was the weakest link in computer security.
He said people were known to be more vulnerable than computers and smart devices. Sequel to that, Vice Admiral Amoama said the issues of data protection, security of information, misuse of social media platforms, secret recording of confidential or sensitive events and their subsequent leakages to the media had become great concern to the military high command.
To this end, I urge All Ranks to desist from unprofessional acts that seeks to tarnish the image of our noble profession.
I have also directed that regular reminders of extracts on communications and information systems policy and cybersecurity titbits be published in the unit routine orders to guide all ranks on the use of the internet and social media engagements,” the CDS said.
Ghana’s cybersecurity development
On his part, the acting Director General of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako said Ghana’s cybersecurity development was rated at 32.6 per cent according to the Global Cybersecurity Index in 2017.
As at the end of 2020, he said the country’s readiness level was rated at 86.69 per cent, thus, becoming the third highest ranked country in Africa after Tanzania and Mauritius and the 43rd ranked country in the world.
He said authority, therefore, recognised the contribution of the GAF to that development and hoped to build upon that success through the work of the Joint Cybersecurity Committee which had three senior officers of the GAF representing.
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 Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdullai Jinapor, has said persons in charge of institutions regulating mining activities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region should be held responsible for the destruction caused by illegal miners.
The illegal miners are back in that area and destroying virgin forest reserves in the area.
After more than five years of intense war against illegal mining, it appears the efforts are not paying off as illegal miners continue to pollute water bodies and destroy natural resources.
Tracts of farmlands and forest reserves have been destroyed by activities of illegal miners with pits left abandoned.
The Minister, who visited the mining sites, was amazed at the level of destruction caused to the environment by illegal miners.
Military deployment to some mining districts in the Ashanti Region this week led to the seizure of some mining equipment used for illegal mining activities.
The Minister joined the military in areas where the recent clampdown was carried out and expressed his disappointment at the level of destruction.
He was shocked as hectares of land were degraded with impunity.
“The pervasiveness of mining activity and wanton destruction of the landscape of the area is serious. The number of hectares mined out is a threat to our environment,” he said.
He realized that the operation did not start a day or a week “and I am shocked about this development”.
“Given the extent of the operation, I just can’t be convinced the Chief of the area, Minerals Commission officials in the area and the District Chief Executive are not aware.”
He called for collective action to address the galamsey menace.
The General Officer Commanding Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour, assured that the fight against galamsey will be won.
“We in the military are committed to this fight and with the support of all the fight will be won,” he said.
The Minster later met some Regional Ministers and MMDCEs and appealed to them to support the fight.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) would want to refute a false story that claimed a soldier, Private Asare Boateng, had been detained for stealing GH23,000 from a civilian.
GAF wishes to state categorically that the suspect is an imposter. He is not a Soldier neither is he a Bandsman at the Signal Regiment or a Civilian Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces.
In furtherance to this, GAF wishes to place on record that on Friday 16 September 2022, the Military Police in Takoradi arrested Asare Boateng dressed in camouflage uniform, for posing as a Soldier and extorting monies from unsuspecting civilians at Elmina in the Central Region.
During interrogation, Asare Boateng confessed to engaging in impersonation and extortion.
The Military Police subsequently handed him over to the Kwasimintim Police Station at Takoradi for further action as required by law.
GAF therefore wishes to emphasise that the suspect (Asare Boateng) is not a Soldier and not affiliated to any Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces contrary to the reports in the media and therefore should not be regarded as such.
In the same view, GAF wishes to entreat the media to take advantage of its open door policy and to seek clarifications on such matters in order to avoid the publication of misleading reports that drags GAF into disrepute.
GAF also wishes to assure the general public that it will continuously work with all stakeholders to weed out criminal elements in the society, including any uniformed personnel who engages in illegal activity so that the nation can have a secured environment for socio-economic development.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), none of its military camps or bases have ever been burned down, despite media reports to the contrary.
The GAF claimed that an accommodation facility being built by the Bono Regional Coordinating Council at Diabaa in the Dormaa West Municipality to host a Military Detachment and a shelter for personnel of the Forestry Commission was instead destroyed.
A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the GAF and signed by Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi, the Director of Public Relations, said, “at the time of the incident there were no military personnel at the location, and it was the Police that successfully brought the situation under control.â€
Reacting to a media report headlined “Youth of Diabaa burn down military camp,†the statement, however, indicated that the GAF would put in all measures to prevent and also take the appropriate action at its disposal, to deal with any miscreant or any other person who would even attempt to burn down any military or national asset, facility or installation.
According to the report, irate youth of Diabaa a farming community set ablaze Military Bay and a metal container providing shelter for staff of the Forestry Commission (FC)/Forestry Services Division (FSD) at a checkpoint in the area as a result of a misunderstanding between the youth and local FC/FSD staff.
â€It must be noted that the Military Detachment is yet to be permanently deployed to that particular location as part of Operation Halt I to curb the illegal logging and lumbering, which has been on the ascendency in the regionâ€, it added.
“GAF wishes to serve notice that it will respond appropriately in instances where its personnel mandated to ensure peace and security in the country and to protect important national assets are attackedâ€.
The statement, therefore, urged the public and the media to support the drive in curbing impunity and also to ensure that well-meaning Ghanaians were free to go about their normal duties smoothly “so that our dear country Ghana continues to enjoy the stability required for her socio-economic developmentâ€.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has rejected media reportage that a military base or camp in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region has been set ablaze by some angry youth of the area.
According to GAF, the facility that was set ablaze is an accommodation facility under construction to house the Military Detachment and a shelter for Forestry Commission staff.
“No Military Base or Camp has been set ablaze,†GAF said in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain, Michael Addo Larbi.
The statement added that “at the time of the incident, there were no military personnel at the location and it was the Police that successfully brought the situation under control.
“It must be noted that the Military Detachment is yet to be permanently deployed to that particular location as part of Operation Halt I, to curb the illegal logging and lumbering which has been on the ascendency in the Region.”
GAF, however, assured the public that it would put in “all measures to prevent and also take the appropriate action at its disposal to deal with any miscreant or any other person who would even attempt to burn down any military or national asset, facility or installation.â€
The arrest of the yet-to-be identified man was captured in a viral video which has been sighted by GhanaWeb.
The video captures a living room with about five persons seated. Some men suspected to be military officers identified themselves with one giving his name as WO2 Adu Boateng and another also showing aGhana Armed Forces ID Card bearing the name Kusi Bright.
They go-ahead to interrogate the young man who was seated facing them and looking visibly shaken.
Also seated by the young man was a woman who is suspected to have fallen victim to his recruitment scam.
“You told her you are a soldier and asked her to bring money so you recruit her into the military. What is your rank?†one of the soldiers who was in plain clothing questioned.
With the suspect fumbling to give a reasonable answer, the senior officer ordered his men to handcuff the young man who was immediately triggered into a pleading mode.
“I beg you, please have patience and let my mom come. Please have patience let me call my mother so we can solve the issue,†he pleaded while struggling with the officers to avoid being placed in handcuffs.
“My brother is the MP for Ejisu and my mom is around let us call her and settle this,†he pleaded further.
“You are mad, going about proposing marriage to women because you know the women are struggling,†one of the military officers is heard saying.
The suspect then reaches for his mobile phone to call his mother but had the phone taken away from him. The team of officers go on to show the screensaver on phone which has him in a military uniform as the wallpaper.
“Where did you get the uniform?†the officers shouted in sync.
While fumbling, the suspect blurts saying “I was part of the group which went for training in 2015 and were sacked.â€
The unrelenting officers move ahead to drag him out of the room by his waist while the suspect’s incessant calls for his mother continued.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF)has urged the general public to ignore any recruitment advertisement on social media platforms.
The GAF also advised members of the public not to pay attention to persons purporting to offer enlistment into the Armed Forces.
“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has monitored a fraudulent Facebook account created in the name of GAF with the name Asinyo Inno, advertising sale of protocol recruitment forms for interested applicants. The account bearing the name Mathias Sarpong with a contact number +233595577684, is one of such numerous fraudulent social media accounts being used for recruitment scams,†GAF said in a statement signed by Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi.
The GAF press release dated Wednesday, July 6, 2022, said it “does not use intermediaries and has not contracted any institution or individuals to conduct recruitment or enlistment exercises on its behalf. Also, GAF does not advertise recruitment and enlistment processes on social media.â€
The Ghana Armed Forces noted that its original advertisement for recruitment exercises have been published in only two national daily newspapers the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times on May 14 and May 16 respectively.
The GAF also said any relevant information and guidelines with respect to the eligibility of persons who can apply and the sale of scratch cards at designated Ghana Post offices could be found in the publication in the newspapers.
“The public, especially interested applicants should accordingly comply with the laid down processes as advertised in the Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphic in order not to fall prey to the fraudsters.â€
The online application will however end on Sunday, July 10.
The release also advised interested applicants to report persons who try to extort money from them under the pretense of offering them enlistment into the Armed Forces to the nearest Police station.
“In the same vein, the interested applicants who choose to pay monies to agents for help are equally culpable in the fraudulent act,†the release said.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three military personnel and one other accomplice in connection with a robbery incident at Nsakina near Amasaman on June 4, 2022.
The suspects, № 208183 G/CPL. Yinsabilik Gabriel, № 280252 G/L/CP Elikem Adams, № 209016 L/CPL. Asiedu Stanley and Malik, their accomplice, were arrested following a Police investigation into the robbery.
The Police report indicates that the four suspects scaled a wall into the residence of the complainant and robbed him and his friends of 8 different mobile phones.
The suspects also forcibly made them transfer an amount of ¢850 to a registered MTN number, bearing the name Gabriel Yinsabilik.
Preliminary investigation led to the identification of the three military personnel, who were arrested by the Military Police and handed over to the Amasaman District CID.
The three military suspects have since been cautioned and released to the Military Police while investigation continues.
Meanwhile, their accomplice, Malik, confessed to the crime during interrogation
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF)has dismissed reports that three of its personnel have been arrested for robbery offenses.
In a statement to debunk the reports, GAF said theallegation of robbery has not been established against the three soldiers, hence it is premature for such a conclusion to be drawn by the public.
Referencing a story by The Chronicle which announced the arrest of the soldiers for robbery, the Armed Forces explained that a Nigerian national had reported the soldiers to the Amasaman Police station for alleged extortion, seizure of phones and forced entry into a premise at Nsakina.
The statement further said that based on the report against the soldiers, there was a joint investigation by the Military Police and the Civil Police into the matter.
Subsequently, the “Military Police escorted the three soldiers to the Amasaman Police Station where they were compelled to avail themselves for their photographs to be taken as part of a routine investigation process.â€
GAF said preliminary investigations by the Military Police indicate that one of the soldiers had claimed he had monitored suspicious movements in the house occupied by the Nigerian.
Together with his colleagues, they proceeded to the house and after being ushered in by one of the occupants, they noticed some Nigerians busily working on laptops.
According to the statement, the leader of the group in the house denied any involvement in cyber fraud or any criminal activity and offered to report any such activity to the security services.
The story circulating noted that the soldiers scaled a wall into the residence of the complainant and robbed him and his friends of 8 different mobile phones and forcibly made them transfer an amount of ¢850 to a registered MTN number, bearing the name Gabriel Yinsabilik.
GAF proceeded that the alleged extortion and seizure of phones are still been investigated by the Military Police and the Civil Police for the truth to be ascertained.
“It is therefore unclear the motive of the haste in releasing such information with pictures into the public domain on a yet to be determined matter,†portions of the statement read.
GAF noted that it does not condone any criminal act by its personnel and would not shield any soldier engaged in such activities.
The Armed Forces, however, urged “the media and other stakeholders follow due process for the veracity of claims to be made to ensure accurate information is published.â€
According to GAF, 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident while on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region.
The injured were initially treated at the Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment.
The disconcerting video of the has some soldiers strewn about the accident scene, some with broken limbs, while their colleagues in a second vehicle attend to them offering First Aid as they awaited ambulance services.
Voices in the video suggest the driver may have lost control of the vehicle after hitting a bad patch of the road.
The accident vehicle, a pick-up truck marked 81, with registration number 76 GA 39, and said to belong to the Southern Command, is seen turned on its side with some of the soldiers seen searching it if anyone was trapped under it.
Below is a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces Public Affairs Directorate, signed by Naval Capt. Michael A. Larbi, Director of Public Relations.
 GAF PERSONNEL EMBARKING ON OP HALT II DUTIES, INVOLVED IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT ANUM-APAPAM
In reference to a viral video depicting a road traffic accident involving some military personnel, the Ghana Armed Forces wishes to clarify that the personnel, drawn from the Southern Command, were embarking on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region. The accident occurred on Thursday 9 June 2022, along the Suhum Anum Apapam Road when the military truck in which they were travelling suddenly developed a mechanical fault causing it to tip over.
About 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries and were initially treated at Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment. The Military High Command has visited the personnel on admission and as at this morning, 12 out of the injured personnel had been discharged while the remaining four (4) are in a stable condition and responding to treatment.
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to express its appreciation to the residents of Anum Apapam and the surrounding areas and the Apapam Clinic Staff who came to the aid of the injured personnel, and also the National Ambulance Service for the swift evacuation of the victims to the 37 Military Hospital.
GAF will continue to count on the support of all Ghanaians in curbing the illegal mining on our water bodies and also in the fight against all other illegal activities
Signed MA LARBI Naval Captain Director Public Relations
Priscilla Ami Dogbeda Dzokotohas been named the first female commanding officer of a Ghana Navy ship, making her the second woman to join the Navy’s Executive Branch.
She joins Lt. Commander Faustina Maame Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye, the Navy’s first female naval officer.
She is reportedly in charge of a combined maritime exercise between Ghana and Nigeria.
Profile
Lieutenant Commander Priscilla Ami Dogbeda Dzokoto was born on Saturday, March 8, 1986 in Takoradi.
She had her primary education at Pentecost Preparatory and JSS and later attended Holy Child School, Cape Coast in the Central Region.
In 2004, she completed her secondary education. She pursued Mathematical Science at the University of Ghana, Legon, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics and Computer Science in 2009.
On September 14, 2012, Priscilla Ami Dogbeda Dzokoto was enlisted into the Executive Branch of the Ghana Navy as part of Ghana Military Academy Regular Career Course Intake 52.
At the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth in the United Kingdom, she had her initial training. This was in 2013.
Later in 2016, she underwent the Sub Lieutenants Technical Course in Ghana.
She furthered her education at the Navigation Direction School in Kochi, India from July 2021 to February 2022 where she graduated as a Navigation Specialist.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commenced the 2022 enlistment process for Regular Career Course and Short Service Commission Officers.
Details for enlistment have been advertised in the Monday, May 16, 2022 edition of the Daily Graphic.
Scratch cards for the online application are on sale at GH¢300 at Ghana Post offices across the country.
The portal for the online application, http://apply.mil.gh, has also been activated.
The closing date for the online submission is Sunday, July 10, 2022.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Ghana Navy, Captain Michael Addo Larbi, cautioned interested applications to be wary of persons who pose as middlemen with the promise to help them join the Forces.
It said the GAF did not employ middlemen or charge fees for enlistment and advised applicants to desist from paying money to such persons.
It said individuals who presented themselves as middlemen, intermediaries or agents demanding payment to assist any candidate(s) should be reported to the nearest Military Installation or Police Station.
It said interested applicants who chose to pay monies to agents for help were equally culpable in the fraudulent act.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “falseâ€, information circulating on social media concerning applications for admission into the Nursing and Midwifery Training College of the 37 Military Hospital.
“We wish to state categorically that this information is totally false and should be disregarded,†GAF said in a statement signed by Col E Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations.
The statement noted that the Nursing and Midwifery Training College, 37 Military Hospital, has not yet commenced the sale of e-voucher application or admission forms for the 2021/2022 academic year.
GAF cautioned the general public to be wary of advertisements and publications purporting to sell e-voucher application or admission forms and ignore same.
It said the public will be notified through the appropriate channels anytime the college commences the sale of e-vouchers and admission forms.
Minister-Designate for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has described the issue of accommodation as one of the biggest challenges facing the Ghana armed forces.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, February 11, 2021, Dominic Nitiwul stated that the ministry is taking steps to fix the challenge.
He noted that it is the vision of the ministry for all members of the Armed Forces to be accommodated in the barracks and not in rented apartments outside the barracks.
“Accommodation is one of the biggest challenges members of the armed forces face and we are taking steps to fix it. My vision is for all members of the armed forces to be in the barracks, and not in a rented apartment or even your house outside the barracks,†Minister-Designate for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul told the appointment committee.
Dominic Nitiwul also called for the need to modernise the armed forces, in terms of weaponry and technology.
According to him, there is a need to leverage technology to augment the work of the armed forces.
The Appointments Committee in Parliament on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, commenced the vetting of ministerial nominees for appointments in the second term of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Member of Parliament for Assin South and Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, John Ntim Fordjour, says the Committee has put in place adequate measures to prevent the committee as well as the nominees from contracting the deadly coronavirus during vetting.
he Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commenced investigations into allegations of the involvement of some personnel of the service in providing security for illegal mining operations.
The probe follows reports in a section of the media accusing some personnel of the Armed Forces of providing protection for illegal mining operations in parts of the country.
GAF in a statement issued and signed by Colonel Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the service took such allegations seriously as it did not condone such wrongdoing.
It said appropriate sanctions would be handed out to any person(s) found culpable.
The statement assured the public of the Ghana Armed Forces unflinching commitment to the national cause.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says the 37 Military Hospital will next week close down its Medical and Emergency Unit to the public in order to undergo a fumigation exercise.
According to a statement signed and issued by the Director of Public Relations for the GAF, Col. E Aggrey-Quashie, the closure of the unit will take effect from Thursday, January 14 to Thursday February 4, 2021, to allow the exercise to take place.
The GAF explained, “the closure has become necessary to enable the authorities undertake fumigation as a remedy to any infestation of the Unit. It is worth mentioning that measures have been put in place to ensure patients already on admission are not negatively affected.â€
“However, the general public is advised to redirect all medical and emergency cases to other health facilities during the period. This is for the guidance and information of the general public,†the statement added.
The GAF however said any inconvenience the closure of the unit might cause to the general public is regrettable.
Tamale Central lawmaker, Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that the military and Police who stormed the chamber of Parliament on January 7 during the election of a speaker for the 8th Parliament, will have to answer for their action.
He said they will need to explain to the House why they should not be charged with contempt of parliament following their invasion.
Military men stormed the chamber following a stalemate between MPs-elect for the NDC and NPP sides while they were electing a new Speaker of the House.
Mr. Iddrisu told Journalists in parliament on Wednesday, January 13 that “We are law-abiding citizens, we proceeded on a precession in accordance with Article 21 of the constitution. What I also do know is that ACP Ofori, I also saw him in the Chamber on the night of 7th January.
“He probably will have to come and explain to parliament what he and his men were doing in the chamber and on the floor of parliament at that material moment because that is also in contempt of parliament.
“He has to demonstrate that he was invited into the chamber by the Marshal of Parliament and as I indicated to you earlier, we are law-abiding citizens, we embarked on a lawful procession and he has to explain the circumstances in which he got into the chamber of parliament.
“The armed military officers will have to explain how they got to the Chamber of Parliament and why they should also not be hauled before Privileges and committee for contempt of parliament.â€
Some Ghanaians including former President John Dramani Mahama condemned the intervention of the military and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
“The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry and gives the impression that this administration is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. Parliament must conduct an investigation into the two incidents and exact appropriate sanctions,†the President Candidate of the NDC in the last elections said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, the founding Director of the University of Ghana Centre for Asian Studies Dr. Lloyd Amoah has said the presence of the military in the chamber of Parliament during the election of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament did not pose any danger.
Dr. Lloyd Amoah in a Facebook post said “The mere use of soldiers on the floor of parliament does not by itself pose an existential danger. The army is part of the civil order. Pay attention.â€
Ghanaian renowned CEO Of the Kantanka Group of Companies, widely known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Jnr, aka Akofena, has gifted a Kantanka Omama Pick Up (2020 Edition) to the Ghana Army at the just ended Kristo Asafo 40th Technology Exhibition, which was held at Awoshie.
The Kristo Asafo Mission of Church which was founded by Apostle Prof. Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, now managed by his son, Kwadwo Safo Jnr presented the all-new Kantanka Omama Customized luxury pickup.
The annual event started on Thursday, 24th December 2020, and it ended last Sunday, 27th December 2020.
The event was graced by all sons and prominent Ghanaians who passed through Apostle Kwadwo Safo before entering the limelight in their walk of lives. Some of these include actor Akrobeto just to mention few.
During the event, the CEO, Kwadwo Safo Jnr, on behalf of his father, Apostle Safo and the Kristo Asafo Church, presented to the Ghana Army a manufactured Pick Up (2020 edition) by Kantanka.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George has sent a stern warning to the police and military not to expect any support from lawmakers from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) henceforth.
His decision is based on the fact that armed police blocked the MPs from entering the premises of the Electoral Commission on Tuesday where they were set to present a petition to the Chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa to protest the outcome of Techiman South Constituency in the Bono East Region.
“The police and military should not expect any support from us in parliament. If they come before the interior and defense committee, we shall be waiting for them. Once you have stopped us here, we will stop you in parliament. We will show you the power of the legislator.
The lawmakers on the minority lead by Haruna Iddrisu today December 22, 2020, hit the streets in protest of the collation of the Techiman South results in they claimed are characterized by irregularities.
In a petition to the EC Chair, they are demanding that “you (EC Chairperson) cause to be collated the Techiman South Constituency Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Results from all the Two Hundred and Sixty-Six (266) Polling stations in accordance with the law, with immediate effect.
That pursuant to regulation 43 (2) of C.I. 127, the endorsed writ, gazette notification and notice to Clerk of Parliament be amended accordingly to reflect the true state of affairsâ€
A uniformed soldier only identified Sergeant Asiedu from Burma Camp has been declared wanted by the police over his role in the death of a police motor rider with the Nima Division in Accra, Sargent Justice Appiah Kubi.
The said military officer who was at the scene of an accident where his vehicle was involved leading to the death of the policeman, is reported to have escaped at the blind side of police investigators.
According to police sources available to MyNewsGh.com, the accident occurred around the Hajj Village bypass.
According to eyewitnesses, the military Officer informed police that his brother who was in a Hyundai Santefe DV- 5670-20 was involved in an accident with a Ford Ranger with registration number GV 1342 14 and he called for a towing truck to tow the vehicle to Dzorwulu.
The said Military officer who had then parked his Toyota pick-up in the inner lane MyNewsGh.com gathered, raised his hand and waved the police rider. In response, the rider turned to watch the officer at the scene, but unfortunately, he crashed into a Toyota Hilux pick-up parked in the inner lane near the accident scene by the said Military officer. The rider managed to veer off after the first impact and crashed again into the open drainage in the outer lane.
He sustained serious injuries and in process of pulling out the police rider from the gutter by the two Policemen, the Military officer drove his vehicle away unnoticed.
The rider was rushed to the 37 military Hospital for treatment but the medical Doctor on duty to examine him, pronounced him dead on arrival.
The body of the deceased rider was conveyed to the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation and awaiting autopsy.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied rumours circulating on social media that it intends using vigilantes embedded within it, to launch a ground offensive from the eastern border.
The military has also described as false, claims that it is plotting to intimidate voters in the Volta and Oti Regions, strongholds of the biggest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A statement signed by Col. E. Aggrey Quarshie, Director of Public Relations of the military, said the rumours were fabrications.
Read the full statement of the Ghana Armed Forces below:
GHANA ARMED FORCES RESPONDS TO FALSE INFORMATION IN CIRCULATION
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) finds it necessary to respond to two messages on social media, which impinge its professional integrity. One is an audio recording and the other, a written statement.
They both make unfounded commentaries on the GAF, which need to be corrected.
The audio recording by an unidentified male voice, alleges the relocation of “gadgets†from Accra to Ho, to intimidate the people of the Volta and Oti Regions in collaboration with a neighbouring country.
The fact of the matter is that the GAF has deployed to all the regions of Ghana in connection with the 2020 General Elections.
The deployment is in support of the Ghana Police Service and this is standard practice. There is no other motive.
The second is a statement by a purported “Concerned Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Serviceâ€.
This piece is a catalogue of falsehood and fabrications with no scintilla of truth in them.
Among the allegations are that vigilantes are embedded in the GAF and that there is a planned “coordinated ground offensive†from the eastern border on the night of 6th December.
This might either be an orchestration or a planted story to cause alarm among the local population.
All Ranks of the GAF are hereby implored to go about their duties with their usual focus and determination, to ensure the success of the elections.
The general public must also feel free to cast their ballots when the polls open on 7 December 2020.
A former National Security Minister and Information Minister, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, has taken a swipe at the National Security and Information Minister over the dismissal of the security operative who assaulted a soldier, describing it as selective justice.
He is wondering why the same approach was not used in the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election incident.
He has issued a rejoinder for Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah; current Information and National Security Ministers on the assault of the Soldier by National Security Operatives in broad daylight.
He said it was disturbing that a commission of enquiry recommendations were abandoned and not implemented.
To him, it was sad for the president to set aside the recommendations which could have helped punish the persons who assaulted innocent Ghanaians during the by-election.
The Military High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it has begun investigations into the assault of a Warrant Officer on Wednesday, 25 November 2020.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. E. Aggrey-Quashie on 30 November 2020 noted that the incident was condemned by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of National Security and the Military High Command.
“As a first step towards redressing the problem, the Deputy Security Minister, Hon Henry Quartey and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen O. B Akwa, have at an emergency durbar conveyed the sentiment of the two Ministries and rendered an unqualified apology to the said Warrant Officer and by extension the Ghana Armed Forces,†the statement added.
The statement continued: “All ranks have been assured that the matter is being thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.â€
The Military High Command also reiterated that “the ongoing investigations will be pursued vigorously and sanctions meted out as appropriate†while urging all officers “to exhibit their usual sense of professionalism and tackle all duties with the same level of maturity.â€
The National Security personnel who assaulted a uniformed officer of the Ghana Armed Forces will not be left off the hook, the Military High Command has vowed.
GAF, in a statement issued on Monday, November 30, 2020, and signed by the Director of Public Relations, Colonel Aggrey Quarshie, strongly condemned the attack on one of its officers and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.
It said that investigations have already commenced to identify the persons who physically abused the officer whose name has been given as WO1 Mashud Salia.
It disclosed that a high-level meeting has been held over the matter and an apology has been issued from the Ministry of National Security.
“The attention of the Military High Command has been drawn to an unfortunate incident which occurred on Wednesday 25 November 2020 around Tulaku Junction, on the Ashaiman- Akosombo highway, in which a Warrant Officer (WOI Mashud Salia) was assaulted by some plain-clothed personnel of the National Signal Bureau. This bizarre incident has been roundly condemned by both the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command. The Sector Ministry of National Security has also, in a similar vein, condemned the actions of the personnel involved.
“As a first step toward redressing the problem, the Deputy National Security Minister, Hon Henry Quartey and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen OB Akwa, have at an emergency durbar conveyed the sentiment of the two Ministries and rendered an unqualified apology to the said Warrant Officer and by extension to the Ghana Armed Forces.
“This durbar was held at Michel Camp, Tema on Saturday 28 November 2020 with troops of 1 Bn. All ranks have been assured that the matter is being thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.â€
The Ghana Armed Forces also urged its officers to remain calm and professional in the execution of their duties.
“It is reiterated that the ongoing investigations will be pursued vigorously and sanctions meted out as appropriate. In the meantime, All Ranks have been urged to exhibit their usual sense of professionalism and tackle all duties with the same level of maturity.â€
Authorities of the Military High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces have expressed disgust over the assault of one of its members, Warrant Officer WOI Mashud Salia by another security agent.
WOI Salia was reportedly assaulted by some plain-clothed personnel of the National Signals Bureau around Tulaku Junction, on the Ashaiman- Akosombo highway in the Greater Accra Region.
The unfortunate incident is said to have occurred last Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
“This bizarre incident has been roundly condemned by both the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command. The Sector Ministry of National Security has also, in a similar vein, condemned the actions of the personnel involved,†a statement from the Armed Forces indicated.
Already, the Deputy National Security Minister, Henry Quartey and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen OB Akwa, have at an emergency durbar expressed worry over the incident while apologising to the officer involved and the Ghana Armed Forces as a step towards addressing the problem.
The durbar was held at Michel Camp, Tema on Saturday, November 28, 2020, with troops of the infantry battalion.
Meanwhile, all ranks have been assured that the “matter is being thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.â€
“It is reiterated that ongoing investigations will be pursued vigorously and sanctions meted out as appropriateâ€, portions of the statement read.
In the meantime, all ranks have been urged to exhibit their usual sense of professionalism and tackle all duties with the same level of maturity.
Evans Opoku-Bobie, the Ahafo Regional Minister has called for a military base to help stop the needless and uncontrolled recurring of political violence in the region, as the December 7, polls gathers pace.
He noted the establishment of the military base at a strategic location in the region was to support the police handle security situation and pleaded with the Ministry of Interior and National Security to act swiftly and consider that.
Mr Opoku-Bobie made the call in a speech read on his behalf at the inauguration of the Ahafo Regional Peace held at Goaso, the regional capital.
The 13-member Ahafo Regional Peace Council is made up of representatives from Catholic Bishop Conference, Ghana Pentecostal Council, Regional House of Chiefs, identifiable groups, Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, and the Muslim community.
Mr Opoku-Bobie said peace as a critical development requirement was needed by the region for its development and called on particularly, the leaders of the NPP and the NDC to show true commitment towards the peace of the region by stopping what he described as “needless political game of violence equalization and polarization for power in the hotspot areas of the region”.
The burden of political violence in the region, Mr Opoku-Bobie explained was already being felt at the various flashpoints in the district and municipalities of the region, saying a total of GH¢427,050.79 was spent by the affected district Assemblies as at mid-August this year.
About 31 percent of the amount was in emergency crisis response, mainly on political-related violence in connection with the Election 2020, the regional minister stated.
As the December 7, polls gathered momentum, Mr Opoku-Bobie also appealed for concerted efforts among all stakeholders to upholding and defending the prevailing peace in the region.
“We must not allow our renewed commitment to eradicate Election violence to produce same recurrent old results, where thugs are used to intimidate and brutalize other citizens for the interest of some politicians,” he added.
Nana Dufie I, the Mamponghemaa, and a Board Member of the NPC, who inaugurated the Council called on the members to offer selfless services towards strengthening the prevailing peace of the region.
Justice Charles K. Acheampong, a Circuit Court Judge took the Council through the oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) School of Ordinance has graduated 160 officers and men at its second graduation ceremony in Accra.
The School, under the Military Academy and Training School (MATS), prior to its affiliation to the Accra Technical University (ATU) in 2018, provided only military training programmes to its personnel but the synergy provides students with skills to equally work in civilian life.
The ceremony was on the theme: “Building Opportunity for Life after military serviceâ€.
Professor Samuel Nii Odai, the Vice-Chancellor, ATU, said the graduates had successfully completed programmes of Bachelor of Technology in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, Advanced Diploma and Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, and Fashion Designing Diploma in Leather Works from the Faculties of Business and Applied Arts, ATU.
He said the officers and men who enrolled for the 2019/2020 academic year were equipped with knowledge and skills to make them “relevant in the Military and after their service in the Armed Forces.â€
Prof Odai said military service was a unique lifestyle and transition into civilian life after many years of service might seem extraordinary and uncomfortable to personnel, however the training received would make it easier.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the new alumni to leverage on networks they created during the period of study to build a better future.
Major General William Omane Agyekum (RTD), immediate past commandant, MATS and guest speaker for the graduation, urged the graduates to plan for their retirement by cultivating the habit of saving and making cautious investments.
He said no matter how long it took, retirement was inevitable and that if they failed to plan for retirements, then they planned to fail in retirement.
Major General Charles Kodjo Awity, Commandant, MATS, said plans were advanced to relocate the School to a much more befitting facility.
Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwah, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Guest of Honour, expressed gratitude to all who had contributed to the success of the 2019/2020 academic year and the graduation ceremony.
He urged the graduates to serve as good ambassadors and to continually seek self-development and keep faith in all they did.
Students awarded for their exceptional performance in various programmes were; Flight Lieutenant Prince Opoku Agyemang, Bachelor of Technology in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management and Valedictorian; Ms Lariba Babilla, Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management.
Others were Corporal Jeffery Mahlon Adjei Banfro, Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management; Leading Aircraftman, Joseph Donkor, Diploma in Fashion Designing; and Corporal Boache Kidisil Yaw, Diploma in Leather Works.
As parts of efforts to assure the public of their readiness for the upcoming elections, the various security agencies will embark on a nationwide march today, November 26, 2020.
Code-named TAFIA-LAFIYA, the walk is expected to start at 6 am and end at 12:00 in the afternoon.
The peace march will further provide assurances to the public, that security is guaranteed and that anything that poses a threat to the peace of the nation will be stamped out.
As a result of the march, some major roads in Accra and other regional capitals will be closed to traffic within the period.
The security services comprise the Police Service, the Armed Forces, Prisons Service, National Fire Service; Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Intelligence Bureau together with the National Ambulance Service.
The Ghana Police Service in a statement urged the public to cooperate and bear with them.
“Due to the march, there will be vehicular traffic and diversions on streets of the areas earmarked, at certain times of the morning. However, security personnel will be deployed to manage the traffic and diversions,†a statement from the Ghana Police Service noted. In the Greater Accra Region, for instance, the parade will move on the following routes:
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it will deploy some 6,000 troops to complement allied security agencies to maintain peace and order in the upcoming general elections.
Asides from the deployment of the troops, logistics from the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air Force would also be deployed for the elections.
“The GAF will deploy over 6,000 troops from December 4, 2020, and withdraw them on December 15, 2020, if there is no run-off. However, if there is a run-off, the withdrawal will be on January 10, 2021,â€
This was revealed by the Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Godwin Azera of the Lands Operations Unit of the GAF during a media sensitization held at the Burma Camp.
The deployment from the GAF will complement the 67,974 personnel forming the national security task force for the upcoming elections.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Godwin Azera, the deployment of the GAF troops would take effect from December 4 to December 15, 2020.
Ghanaians will on December 7, 2020, go to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament as part of a four-year constitutional mandate in a general election.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “totally falseâ€, allegations that it intends to give its military uniforms to vigilante groups and equip them with 4,000 weapons to operate in the Volta Region on Election Day.
The GAF in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations, Colonel Aggrey-Quashie, said the “The Ghana Armed Forces wish to state categorically that the allegations are totally false and malicious. There is no iota of truth in them.
“We, therefore, demand a retraction of the false publication and an apology. We also urge the public to totally disregard the false statements,†the statement said.
It said “As an institution, the GAF does not usually respond to political commentary nor engage in political discussions. However, when factual inaccuracies are peddled against it, the GAF has a duty and responsibility to set the records straight.
“And the truth is that no weapons have been moved out of its armouries and neither have any uniforms been issued or planned to be issued to any group as alleged,†it added.
The statement said GAF would continue to carry out its constitutionally-mandated roles in a robust and professional manner, regardless of any attempts to draw it into the political fray.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “totally falseâ€, allegations that it intends to give its military uniforms to vigilante groups and equip them with 4,000 weapons to operate in the Volta Region on Election Day.
The GAF in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations, Colonel Aggrey-Quashie, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the “The Ghana Armed Forces wish to state categorically that the allegations are totally false and malicious. There is no iota of truth in them.
“We, therefore, demand a retraction of the false publication and an apology. We also urge the public to totally disregard the false statements,†the statement said.
It said “As an institution, the GAF does not usually respond to political commentary nor engage in political discussions. However, when factual inaccuracies are peddled against it, the GAF has a duty and responsibility to set the records straight.
“And the truth is that no weapons have been moved out of its armouries and neither have any uniforms been issued or planned to be issued to any group as alleged,†it added.
The statement said GAF would continue to carry out its constitutionally-mandated roles in a robust and professional manner, regardless of any attempts to draw it into the political fray.
When this Togoland issue started, some of us within the security space did not spare any moment or mince words, raising serious concerns about their activities and the existential threat they posed to the security of Ghana.
Unfortunately, over the past few years, they have become more audacious and brazen and we can only expect more. They are able to make strong political statements and control the narrative.
They seem to be succeeding in bullying the government into submission. They have succeeded in disrupting lives and holding the nation hostage. Soon, we might go beyond condemning their actions by asking them what their demands are. With a heavy heart, I predict they might start targeting critical infrastructure.
They have the capacity and geographical advantage (forest cover and international border) to engage in an assymetrical warfare that could be hard to win.
We ignored the early warning signs and thought this was all a joke. We arrest and release, re-arrest and release again. Despite the presence of intelligence officers, they have largely failed to gather actionable intel in real-time.
Going forward, the over 100 kilometer Accra Atimpoku Juapong stretch is very crucial and needs permanent detachment stationed within that enclave. The Adome bridge and the dam are high-value targets that we cannot trade-off.
Let us invest in human security because largely, these secessionists have some level of Community support.
Let us collaborate more effectively with Togolese authorities so the group doesnt engage in cross border activities and the trafficking of weapons to oil their seeming war machine.
Adib Saani Security Analyst/Executive Director Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building 0244985099
The Ghana Police Service has cautioned people travelling to the Volta Region and Eastern Region to be wary of the activities of separatist group, Homeland Study Foundation, also known as Western Togoland group.
According to reports reaching GhanaWeb, Friday, September 25, members of secessionist group have blocked major entries into the Volta Region. They are said to have executed their activities at dawn.
The group are said to have attacked a police station and disarmed some security personnel in the region.
Three people have also sustained gunshot wounds whiles motorists travelling along the route have been left stranded.
The Ghana Police Service has, therefore, cautioned people travelling the route to exercise caution since they are likely to experience traffic.
A statement posted on the verified account of the Ghana Police Service on Facebook said;
“Good morning Ghana, commuters to and from Accra – Ho – Aveyime – Adidome – Mepe – Akuse – Sogakope – Aflao are likely to experience traffic due to security operations within those areas. Anybody travelling on any of these roads should exercise caution.â€
Masterminds of the Western Togoland independence have issued a warning to the Ghana Police Service and the military to stay indoors till further notice or surrender peacefully to the Western Togoland Security forces.
This is coming after the people behind the Western Togoland agenda succeeded in blocking major roads leading to the Volta region-Kpong, Juapong and Sogakope-burning vehicle tyres and demonstrating for its independence this morning.
The statement pointed out that the restoration to Western Togoland statehood, under the leadership of Togbe Yesu Kwabla Edudzi I, is being consolidated.
As such Togbe Yesu is the Chairman of Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF), the political wing of the Western Togoland independence struggle.
“Roadblocks to assert its sovereignty are all over the Southern sector. Vehicular and passenger movements have come to a standstillâ€, the statement sighted by MyNewsGh.com which did not have a signatory said.
It continued saying “for how long? Until Ghana agrees to come to the negotiation table, with expected UNO facilitation. All political activities within the new State are banned with immediate effectâ€
The statement also emphasised that certain radio stations are temporarily designated Western Togoland (WTL) state radios till further notice, and all media houses within WTL are to focus their programming predominantly on WTL issues until further notice.
“All Ghanaian security forces are ordered out of WTL within 24 hours and MUST NOT to take any weapons or ammunitions along with them.
“All detainees of Western Togoland independence struggle are ordered released immediately and all court proceedings relating to that are ordered terminated with immediate effect,†it added.
A security expert, Adib Saani, has condemned the attack on soldiers at Dome Faase, near Obom Domeabra.
He said whether the victims were military men or landguards, there was no justification for the attack.
He described what happened at Dome Faase as a “backward, retrogressive mob mentalityâ€.
He also condemned the actions of some military men, who went to retaliate after the two soldiers were brutalised at Dome Faase, saying that the issue could have been handled in a better way, especially when women had to run away from their homes to seek refuge elsewhere.
He made the statement while speaking on Atinka 104.7 AM Drive, hosted by Ekourba Gyasi.
After the incident, the Deputy Defence Minister came out to say those army personnel were sent by their authorities and did not go there on their own as speculated by the public.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has condemned allegations of ill-faith over the deployment of security personnel in the Volta Region.
He said the deployment of 1,000 security personnel nationwide, of which 163 were in the Volta Region, helped in neutralising the threat of terrorism and imported COVID-19 cases.
It was not to intimidate the people of any Region, he said.
President Akufo-Addo said these at a durbar of Chiefs of the Anlo State during a day’s working visit.
“The Volta Region was not singled out for any political operation and there was certainly no political or ethnic agenda.
“We live in a difficult neighbourhood where terrorist activities have become every day matters for many countries in the region especially and regrettably in our immediate northern neighbour Burkina Faso.
“That we have so far been spared the ravages of the terrorists, it is the result of the hard work and constant vigilance of our security services and the grace of the Almighty but we have to be on constant alert and if and when we have to tighten our security along our borders. It is my responsibility to do so and I will do so,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo said the Volta Region remained an “integral part of the Republic of Ghana and military deployments in the region cannot be described as an invasion” and condemned the “frenzy” with which some social media users resorted to falsifying the situation using false media material.
“These have been escalated into accusations of ethnic cleansing, and the government that I lead has been labelled as tribalist,” he said, and asked Ghanaians to be circumspect, and not to ruin the unity the Nation was blessed with.
The President noted the relevance the NPP attached to the people of the Region, having appointed natives into “critical roles” in government, and suggested that the measure for discrimination be considered in the distribution of national resources.
“I have been forced to look deep inside me as a result of the virulent language that has been directed at me and at the government I have”, he said, and added that the NPP in its “darkest days” drew its “biggest strength” from the Region.
“Even if there was a little tribal brittle bone within my makeup – which there is not, I will not choose the Volta Region as my target. History will not allow me.”
“My commitment to the Ghana project is total. The enemy we face is bad governance and poverty and that is what I expend my energy trying to defeat. It is a battle we can only win if we pull in the same direction even if we have different perceptions,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo said the nation was on the right path, and asked for the support of all in delivering a transformed nation, and promised to ensure a “free, fair, peaceful and transparent” general elections.
He said the NPP government had delivered “exceptionally” in the “equitable” sharing of the National cake, affecting the lives of many that had been denied.
The President said the Keta harbour project was much on the horizon and revealed that feasibility studies on the project were about concluding, whiles a Legislative Instrument was appended to secure land for its commencement.
President Akufo-Addo commissioned a 12-unit classroom block for the Keta Senior High school under the Senior High School Intervention Project.
He also cut the sod for work to begin on the Keta Water Expansion project.
Nii Addo, Mankrado (traditional leader) of Obuom traditional area (Dome-Faase) is asking for protection.
The Mankrado who is currently at a hideout in Accra says if his safety is assured, he will come out to assist the military look for their missing weapons.
“If I am given the assurance that I will be safe, I will assist the soldiers to find the weapons,” he said.
Two military officers who were reportedly on an operation in Dome-Faase were assaulted by residents and their guns seized. The vicinity was subsequently taken over by soldiers causing indigenes to flee.
According to reports, Dome-Faase is now a ‘ghost town’.
Nii Addo narrated what ensued to Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, and apologized to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Ghana Armed Forces for the unfortunate incident.
“When we realized the soldiers were on the land we reported it to the police but they (police) said there is nothing they can do because according to the soldiers, they are obeying an order from above. What happened is indeed a condemnable act so I apologize to the President, the soldiers,” he stated.
Residents flee after armed soldiers stormed community
Hundreds of residents of Dome-Faase in the Ga South Municipality have deserted their homes after armed soldiers stormed the community.
The personnel numbering over 300 besieged the town in search of some civilians who assaulted two soldiers during a land conflict.
The two soldiers were severely injured when they were attacked by the irate residents over land ownership.
26 health workers of the Obom Health Centre are traumatised after military men raided the entire community to search for perpetrators who allegedly inflicted cutlass wounds on two soldiers during a clash over a disputed land.
The Administrator of the facility, Adam Dramani alleged that the Military officers fired gunshots indiscriminately during the arrest of the civilians.
Adam Addramani also alleged that some of his workers also “received several slaps.”
He also said the military mistakenly arrested his worker thinking that they were part of the perpetrators.
Due to the unfortunate incident, he complained that workers are refusing to go to work adding that two are on admission.
Adams Dramani appealed to the military men to temper justice with mercy because many workers are leaving in fear.
Meanwhile, a source close the Military high command indicates that one of the military guns used by the two soldiers has been found.
The government has excluded security services in the country from the unification of pensions.
The security services would remain on their already-existing pension programmes.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, 20 August 2020.
Mr Nkrumah noted that the decision was reached to exclude security services such as the Police, Immigration, Prisons, Fire and all other such services and intelligence agencies after it examined a report on the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766),
This, he said, prompted the government to direct the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations to have the law amended to make room for the changes.
“Cabinet considered the recommendations of the report seeking the following actions for the completion of the unification process;
“One, the exclusion of the security services that is the Police Service, the Immigration Service, the National Fire Service, the Prisons Service, as well as other security and intelligence agenciesâ€.
“Two, the amendment of Act 766 to exclude the security services from the unification of pensionsâ€.
“Cabinet granted approval for the above actions and directed the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations to commence processes to have the law amended to reflect this decision.
“The decision, therefore, is that the security services will not be subject to the unification of pensions and will remain on their old pension programmes.
“The security services will not be subjected or included in the programmed to unify pensions. They will instead remain on their already existent pension programmes like the Cap 30 and the other pension programmes that exist,†he said.
The Minister explained that the reason for the exclusion of the security services from the unification process is because of the peculiar nature of their task and the risks they face in their line of duty.
Ghana began processes to unify its pension regime in 2018.
With an approval from Cabinet to develop a roadmap toward the unification of the regime by 2021, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has engaged stakeholders within the sector in a bid to unify all parallel pension schemes and incorporate them under the three-tier system as stipulated in the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766).
Armed soldiers raided at least five houses in the border town of Honuta in the Ho West District on July 7 and subjected the occupant to terror after falsely accusing them of hosting Togolese contracted to take part in the voter registration exercise, the Honuta Traditional Council has confirmed.
This was during the second day of the voter registration exercise in the area.
Elder Robert Atutornu, secretary of the council stated that the soldiers who were supported by a vigilante group ransacked the rooms in the houses they invaded but found no Togolese in any of the rooms.
He made the startling revelation when the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV and members of the Volta Region House of Chiefs called at the palace of the acting Paramount Chef of Honuta, Togbe Agamasu II, during their tour of some border traditional areas at the weekend.
The tour followed growing reports of unmitigated harassment of people in those communities by personnel of the security agencies.
Elder Robert Atutornu said that the invasion of homes by the soldiers had left the people of Honuta in a state of great fear and anxiety.
In one instance, he said that the Awafiaga (war lord) of Honuta, Togbe Awudzatse IV was travelling with one of his sub-chiefs to nearby Akorme, only for them to be intercepted mid-way into the journey by the thugs who were assisting the security agencies.
According to Elder Atutornu, the thugs ordered the Awafiaga and the sub-chief to return to Honuta after telling them that their faces looked more Togolese than Ghanaian.
The Awafiaga and the sub-chief did not budge, the visiting delegation was told.
The Honuta Traditional Council secretary said that some farmers at Honuta who turned up at the registration centres were turned away by security operatives who described them as Togolese.
He said that the fertile farmlands of Honuta were also occupied by people from Adaklu, Goviefe, Akatsi, Ho and Krobo which were all in Ghana, adding that no Togolese nationals crossed into Honuta to register at any of the centres during the exercise.
Elder Atutornu said that the people of Honuta had lived in peace and harmony with neighbours in the Klor Prefecture of Togo for years, insisting that there was no conflict between them to warrant a military intervention.
“It beggars belief that some people are now re-defining the border between us to tell us who is a Ghanaian and who is a Togolese,†he told the delegation.
In response, Togbe Afede said that the reports were most unpleasant.
For that matter, he gave the assurance that the Volta chiefs would seek a meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as soon as possible to address the problem.
The chiefs also visited the Honuta Border Post which remained closed with no crossing into Ghana or Togo.
The DCE Mr Ernest Victor Apau turned up at the border post to meet with the chief but that was not part of their agenda.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has explained why it deplored military personnel to the Banda area for the last phase of the mass voters registration exercise.
According to the GAF, the deployment followed a request by the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
This was because, the two leading political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were bussing [transporting] people in their numbers to register and that had earlier resulted in a clash which led to the death of one person.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has been seen in a video on social media complaining about the presence of the military in the Banda area and arguing that soldiers were not supposed to be part of the registration process.
Some reports have suggested the military were preventing non residents and people deemed not to be Ghanaians from registering in the area.
Videos circulating on social media show a number of military personnel questioning registrants at a registration centre.
The video also show the military personnel stopping a vehicle – a truck loaded with people – from crossing into the community.
The flagbearer of the NDC, former President John Dramani Mahama for instance in a post on Facebook at the weekend commented on the issue and accused President Akufo-Addo of discriminate use of the military in the voter registration.
GAF’s statement
But a statement signed and issued by the Director of Public Relations of the GAF, Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, explained that following the reported allegation of registration restrictions being placed on a section of the community in the Banda area by the military, it has become necessary to situate the issue in context and set the record straight.
“The Military wishes to state that on 30th July 2020, the Bono Regional Security Council met representatives of the two main political parties NPP and NDC to deliberate on the peaceful conduct of the registration exercise.
“This was in the wake of the disturbances that resulted in the unfortunate demise of one person.â€
The Agreement signed by Mr. Joe Danquah (NPP) and Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC MP – Banda) and witnessed by the Regional Minister stated as follows:
“We the undersigned agreed today to maintain peace in the Banda District during the remaining days of the voters registration exercise and after, until the end of the 2020 General Elections in December 2020.â€
The full details of the Agreement were as follows:
That the REGSEC will give the necessary security to the Banda Constituency and the entire Region, before, during and after the process of the 7th December Election.
The REGSEC and the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders should meet the Chiefs to determine the boundaries of Banda.
The two Parliamentary Candidates (Mr. Joe Danquah and Ahmed Ibrahim, MP) should stop bussing people to the registration centres, if indeed they were ordinary residents; they should go there on their own volition.
Political parties should educate their agents at the registration centres to fill challenge forms in challenging people whose citizenship or residency they doubted.
That no physical violence should be used in preventing people from registering.
That the two candidates should pledge their support to ensure peace in the Constituency by signing the Peace Agreement offered by REGSEC.
The statement explained that the security agencies were therefore available to support the REGSEC-brokered Agreement.
No specific ethnic group was targeted in this regard. The general public is accordingly informed of these developments, the GAF said.
The Ghana Armed Forces has said it has constituted a Preliminary Investigation Team (PIT) to conduct a full assessment of the damage done to the GHF 630 aircraft which had an emergency landing in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region to enable recovery of the aircraft to the Air Force Base in Tamale.
The emergency landing was on a field about 3 km Southwest of Ganvuliga village.
A statement by GAF signed by the Director of Public Relations, Colonel E Aggrey-Quashie, noted: “The crew landed after observing a malfunction of the tail rotor system, which provides anti-torque and directional control to the aircraft. The incident happened while the crew were returning from Wa to Tamale.â€
The statement continued: “All the 4 crew members and 4 other military personnel on board at the time of the incident were successfully recovered within minutes by another Ghana Air Force helicopter, with no fatalities nor injuries. There were no civilians on board, and no damage nor injuries to property and people on the ground. The landing site has since been secured and efforts are underway to recover the aircraft. The Kumbungu District Chief Executive and the local community are also providing the necessary assistance to the recovery team.â€
It further noted: “A Preliminary Investigation Team (PIT) has been constituted and is currently on the site to conduct a full assessment of the damage to the aircraft to allow recovery to Air Force Base, Tamale. The manufacturers of the aircraft, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) based in China, and their local representatives, have been informed of the incident and are providing all the necessary technical support. The aircraft is one of four helicopters that were delivered to the Ghana Air Force in 2015.â€
The GAF also commended the pilots “for their quick judgement and timely intervention for flying the helicopter to a safe emergency landing†and assured the general public that “the military is still operational and its activities have in no way been affected by this incident. The morale of personnel is high and normal activities are ongoing.â€
The government has justified reasons why it has deployed heavy military presence to the Ketu Municipality in the Volta region.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Elliot Edem Agbenorwu, reacting to concerns raised over the security presence stated emphatically that the military is not in the area to cause fear or panic.
The move, according to him is meant to enforce the closure of the border and not to intimidate anyone as speculated by residents and the opposition NDC.
Ketu Municipality he lamented has been identified as a hot spot for coronavirus and the cases recorded are all foreigners hence the move to have the military men in the area to enforce the border closure.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said that human trafficking and other crimes across the border were still rampant, in spite of the closure of the border.
The military he added will not partake in the voter registration exercise hence Ghanaians should treat with competent claims that the government has deployed the military to intimidate residents in the region.
He said the military men are just 27 and stressed, â€take it from me as the MCE and the Chairman of the Security Council that the military is not in the area to participate in the registration exercise. The military will not be near any registration centreâ€.
He also asked Ghanaians to ignore comments from Asokwa MP KT Hammond, who has claimed the military has been sent to the area to prevent Tohgolese from registring.
He stressed, the military will not participate in the registration exercise, they will not be seen at any of the registration centres. They will enforce the closure of our border.
Residents in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region have raised concern over the deployment some heavily armed security personnel into the area.
The security contingent which includes the military and officials of the Ghana Immigration Service has been deployed into some communities along the Ghana-Togo boarder such as Wudoaba, Korpeyia and Anoenu since Monday 22, June.
According to residents, the presence of the security personnel is intimidating and puts them in fear, preventing them from going about their daily activities with comfort.
But the MCE has asked them not to panic or fear because the military men are not there to intimidate anyone.
He asked residents to report any form, of abuse and intimidation on the part of the military should it happen.
A man believed to be a Military Officer has died in a head -on collision accident on the Suhum stretch of the Accra to Kumasi Highway. The fatal accident occurred Sunday June 28, 2020 about 10:10pm.
According to reports, the deceased was driving an unregistered Nissan Note Private Car from the Kumasi direction towards Accra but on reaching Asuboi-Suhum stretch of the Accra to Kumasi Highway, a V.I.P Daewoo bus with registration number GT 9988-13 onboard with passengers from Accra to Kumasi wrongfully overtook a vehicle ahead hence crashed head -on with the Nissan Car occupied by the said Military Officer and his colleague from the opposite direction.
The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sergeant Francis Gomado told Starr News, the Nissan Note driver and his colleague were trapped in the car but Police with the assistance of the Ghana National Fire Service and National Ambulance Emergency center at Asuboi, and MTTD personnel from Suhum, extricated them and rushed them to the Suhum government hospital but the Nissan Note driver was pronounced dead on arrival whilst his occupant was admitted for treatment.
Meanwhile, suspect driver Kwabena Agyei who was in-charge the Daewoo bus was also admitted at the same hospital for treatment. The body has been deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital for identification, preservation and autopsy.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa has explained that the heavy presence of armed personnel of the military and other security agencies in the Ketu South Municipality is meant to enforce the closure of the border.
According to him the number of personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the borders was now inadequate to enforce the closure effectively, for which reason other security agencies were assisting to enforce of the closure.
Dr Letsa said this at a press conference in Ho on Friday to react to public concerns over the trend, stressing that “Since the closure of the frontier a few months ago to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some lawless people still crossed in and out of Ghana with impunity, using unapproved routes.â€
He said that the recent claims by the Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Henry K. Ametefee that the government had declared war on the Volta Region, and for that matter, the Ewe people, was unfortunate and totally untrue.
“The Volta Region is an integral part of Ghana and so, how can the government declare war on its own people,†the regional minister sought to know.
Dr Letsa revealed that human trafficking and other crimes across the border were still rampant, in spite of the closure of border.
In that regard, he said that the government could not stand aside and look on unconcerned while criminals had a field day to put the lives Ghanaians at risk.
He gave the assurance that the military personnel on duty in the area were all professional soldiers who would carry out their assigned duties diligently without intimidating anyone.
The regional minister, therefore, entreated residents of the area to go about their normal daily activities without entertaining any fear.
The Ketu South Municipal Executive, Mr Elliot Edem Agbenorwu, who was present, denied reports that the soldiers were storming the homes of the residents and demanding their identities at gunpoint, saying no such thing happened.
Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery has denied allegations from the minority in Parliament that security personnel were sent to the Volta Region to prevent people from registering in the upcoming voters registration exercise.
According to the Interior Minister, the security personnel were sent to the Eastern border since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana.
He disclosed that ten foreigners who entered the country illegally and tested positive to COVID-19 in the Northern Region entered the country from the Eastern border.
“We closed the borders as part of the COVID-19 Protocols. Our experience over the time is that the Eastern border continues to give us a course for worrying because people are still coming in. We have discovered over 250 unapproved routes. The police and military being there is protect our borders. If you look at our neighbours they do not have the testing records we have. Togo, Burkina Faso, La Cote d’Ivoire do not have the testing records. We are doing all we can to prevent COVID-19,†Mr Dery noted.
Mr. Dery added that the government would not prevent qualified Ghanaians from registering during the voters registration exercise.
The Minority in Parliament has accused government of deliberately sending security personnel to border towns in the Volta Region to prevent people from taking part in the upcoming voters registration exercise.
