Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has refuted the claims made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that the military personnel providing humanitarian relief services to the Akosombo Dam victims were recalled following an “order from the above”.
According to a statement dated, Sunday, October 22, 2023, and signed by Naval Captain M.A Larbi for Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, the GAF described the information in circulation as “inaccurate.”
The NDC MP took on Sunday in a series of posts on X (Twitter) claimed that the military personnel on the ground were asked to withdraw, upon an order from a higher authority.
He posted that “I just received a call indicating that the order has been reversed and that the soldiers have been directed to return with their boats and resume duty. Soon, we shall fish out those faceless, unpatriotic elements.”
In another post, he confirmed “that the military did indeed return following the reversal of that devious order from ‘above.’”
“Let’s be clear, the over 12,000 displaced beloved constituents of mine have done nothing wrong to deserve their current VRA-induced predicament — all we ask for is empathy and justice,” he said.
GAF Denies
However, the Ghana Armed Forces in a statement explained that the soldiers had not been given any order to leave Mepe or any community in the Volta region.
“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to debunk some media reports and a series of social media posts especially on Twitter (X), claiming that military personnel deployed to Mepe in Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosmobo Dam, have been withdrawn. GAF wishes to categorically state that the information in circulation is inaccurate and that the personnel have not been given any ‘orders from above’ to withdraw from Mepe or any other community affected by the spillage contrary to the social media posts.”
Below is the full statement:
GAF PERSONNEL HAVE NOT WITHDRAWN FROM MEPE
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to debunk some media reports and a series of social media posts especially on Twitter (X), claiming that military personnel deployed to Mepe in the Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosmobo Dam, have been withdrawn.
GAF wishes to categorically state that the information in circulation is inaccurate and that the personnel have not been given any ‘orders from above’ to withdraw from Mepe or any other community affected by the spillage, contrary to the social media posts.
It must be emphasised that the Humanitarian Relief Operations (Operation Boafo), being conducted by the Ghana Navy’s Riverine Command and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army is being executed in phases. As of 22 October 2023, the situation in Mepe has been brought under considerable control and therefore it became necessary to urgently redeploy some personnel and equipment to other distressed communities around Battor and its environs, which were in dire need of support.
Following the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to these distressed communities, the operations being conducted have been varied to suit the evolving situation. It must be placed on record that for the purpose of this operation, GAF has established an Emergency Operations Centre which is coordinating all the GAF activities in a harmonised manner in conjunction with NADMO.
Currently, personnel of the Naval Riverine Command and the Army’s 48 Engineer Regiment are still deployed and conducting the relief operations (Operation Boafo) in accordance with the exigencies of the situation, at Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Adidome, Aveyime, New Bakpa, Big Ada. Ada Foah and the surrounding communities. These personnel are equipped with 10 Naval Boats and four (four) Engineer Assault Boats. From 13 October 2023 till date, GAF has rescued about
12,000 persons.
GAF therefore wishes to assure the general public that as recently reported in the media of the thousands of persons rescued and marked efforts being made to support victims, it will not relent in the quest to ensure urgent, equitable and appropriate response and support to all persons and communities affected by the spillage in conjunction with all stakeholders.
Naval Captain; for Director General Public Relations
-BY Daniel Bampoe