The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has urged the Chief of Defence Staff to take disciplinary action against a military officer he accuses of leading an operation to seize trucks in the Ningo-Prampram Constituency. The Minister named the officer as Lieutenant Albert Goh and alleged that he and other soldiers entered the area heavily armed, confiscated trucks belonging to residents without lawful authority, and mistreated local people. “And to Lieutenant Albert Goh, who came here yesterday with his men, this is a warning to you. It should be your last time because you are a disgrace to the Ghana Armed Forces. Albert Goh, your official number, your Ghana Army number, is 5666.”
Describing the alleged conduct as similar to armed robbery, Mr George said the soldiers had no justification for taking citizens’ property. “And I’m saying that Lieutenant Albert Goh, you are a disgrace to the uniform that you wear. And I expect the Chief of Defence Staff, the CDS, to dismiss you from the Armed Forces for bringing disgrace to the Army. What you did yesterday was akin to armed robbery,” he said. He repeated: “What you did yesterday was akin to armed robbery,” adding: “Picking weapons from the Ghana Armed Forces armory, coming here, seizing the trucks of citizens without any lawful order, driving that truck for two weeks, somebody’s property. You are a thief.”
The Minister further alleged that the soldiers used the seized trucks for about two weeks without lawful authorisation and disrespected a police commander, a Chief Superintendent, who tried to engage them, with some soldiers allegedly cocking their weapons at him. He said their conduct fell short of the standards expected of members of the Ghana Armed Forces and maintained that the people of Ningo-Prampram deserved justice. He said he had obtained the names of the soldiers involved and would pursue the matter through the appropriate military disciplinary channels.
Hon. Sam George said he would raise the matter with the Minister of Defence to ensure the military authorities investigate the incident and hold those involved accountable. “And I’m going to have a conversation with my colleague, the Minister of Defence, to make sure that he insists that the Army disciplines you, Albert Goh.” He also warned soldiers against returning to brutalise residents, saying: “Any soldier who comes to Ningo-Prampram to brutalise the people of Ningo-Prampram again, you will face the law of the streets,” and insisted the incident would not go unaddressed.
