The Ghana Armed Forces has denied media reports that it has withdrawn its personnel providing humanitarian relief services to victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
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 army described the information in circulation as “inaccurate.”
This comes after a series of X (Twitter) posts by the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleging that the military personnel on the ground were recalled following an “order from above” command.
But in a sharp rebuttal, GAF denied the claims and described them as false.
The statement further noted 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to Mepe in Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosmobo Dam, have been withdrawn.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.”
GAF noted that its officers on the ground will not relent in their ongoing effort to help victims of the incident and explained that the operations conducted by its officers are being executed in phases.
“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 Army is being executed in phases,” GAF added in its statement.
“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.”
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GAF PERSONNEL HAVE NOT WITHDRAWN FROM MEPE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
