Ghana Armed Forces vows to deal with officers involved in 'Wa phone assault'

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it has instituted disciplinary measures to deal with its officers who will be found culpable of assaulting civilians in Wa, the regional capital of the Upper West Region on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

This follows the circulation of a viral video that captured some soldiers based in Wa assaulting some residents of the city without any provocation.

The GAF in a press release issued today, Friday, July 2, 2021, said the "unprofessional conduct" took place 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.

"In view of 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".

Reasons for assault

Some eyewitnesses said the soldiers claimed they were searching for a stolen mobile phone.

They recounted how the officers who could not be immediately identified, stopped tricycles and brutalized particularly young men.

Read the entire release below;

SOLDIERS INVOLVED IN THE DISTURBANCES AT WA TO BE DISCIPLINED

The attention of the Military High Command has been drawn to a video which has gone viral. In this video some soldiers based in Wa the regional capital of the Upper West Region are seen molesting civilians in the city without any provocation.

This 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.

In view of 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.

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.

SIGNED

E AGGREY-QUASHIE

Colonel

Director Public Relations