The High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has given the assurance that soldiers who were seen in the video gone viral molesting some residents of Wa in the Upper West region will be punished.
Footage seen by Mynewsafric.com showed the soldiers, who are said to be stationed at stationed in Wa, were walking the streets and randomly subjecting residents to punishments.
One of the victims who said he is a teacher narrated that, he was on his way from school when the soldiers accosted him, then started “beating me mercilessly”.
“They won’t tell you anything, the just pounced on me and started beating me. Even I heard them shouting that if the Police come here, we will beat them too” the man narrated.
Some residents were seen picking the gutters while being assaulted by the officers in uniform development. The soldiers were reportedly angered by a phone which was allegedly stolen from their base.
The Public Relations Officer of the Upper West Coordinating Council was not spared as he also narrated how he was brutalized by the Soldiers.
Reacting to the development, the GAF in a statement said an investigation has already commenced in the matter to punish offenders.
“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 neighborliness,” the statement noted.
It added: “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”.
Read full press release below
