Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has clarified that his remarks in a viral video following a military operation in Ningo-Prampram were never intended as an attack on the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The Ningo-Prampram made the clarification after meeting with the Minister for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Commanders to discuss the incident and concerns raised by the military over portions of the video.
Sam George disclosed that he had used the meeting to explain the intention behind his comments, stressing that his concerns were directed at the conduct of the personnel involved in the operation and the harm suffered by residents, rather than the Ghana Armed Forces as an institution.
He also acknowledged how his remarks had been received by some members of the military fraternity and assured the High Command of his respect for the Armed Forces.
In a Facebook post, Sam George wrote, “This morning, I met with my colleague, the Minister for Defence, to discuss matters arising from a joint military/police operation in my constituency, Ningo-Prampram. The Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Commanders also attended the meeting.
The High Command raised concerns about portions of a video in which I addressed my constituents following last Tuesday’s incident, during which several residents were assaulted, and three others sustained gunshot wounds.
We had a frank and cordial discussion. I assured the High Command that my remarks were never intended as an attack on the Ghana Armed Forces, an institution I hold in the highest regard, as I stated in that same address. I expressed my understanding of how my remarks have been received by the larger Army fraternity and agreed to work closer with the Minister for Defence in future situations. My concern was, and remains, the conduct of the personnel involved in the incident and the harm my constituents suffered.
As Member of Parliament, I have a duty to speak up for the people who elected me, and I will always do so. I am therefore encouraged by the Chief of Defence Staff’s commitment to open an investigation into the matter, and I trust it will be thorough and that its outcome will be made known.
I thank my colleague, the Minister for Defence, for his swift intervention. I look forward to working with him and the Military High Command to ensure that the rights of the people of Ningo-Prampram are protected, and that the integrity and proud image of our Ghana Armed Forces are upheld.
I urge my constituents to remain calm, cooperate fully with the investigation, and allow the process to run its course”.
The development follows Sam George, who lost his cool in a viral video, fuming at a military officer identified as Lieutenant Albert Goh.
The MP’s outbursts follow allegations that the officer had been terrorising residents of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.
According to Sam George, Lieutenant Albert Goh allegedly stormed the constituency with heavily armed soldiers and seized several trucks without any lawful order.
Sam George further warned that any soldier who returned to Ningo-Prampram to brutalise residents would face the consequences.
Speaking in a viral video shared on X, Sam George stated, “Any soldier who comes to Ningo-Prampram to brutalise the people of Ningo-Prampram again, you will face the law of the streets. The streets. Because it means you have breached your oath as a soldier.
“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”.
“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 further added, “Picking weapons from the Ghana Armed Forces armoury, coming here, seizing the tracks of citizens without any lawful order, driving that track for two weeks, somebody’s property. You are a thief.”
Sam George further disclosed that he would take up the matter with the Minister of Defence to ensure that the soldiers involved were held accountable.
Sam George added, “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.
“They stopped you and asked you to come, but you disrespected an officer. The police commander here was a Chief Superintendent. A Chief Superintendent talks to you, and you disrespect him and get your men to cock their weapons at him.
“Who are you? Is that what you were trained to do in the Ghana Armed Forces? As an officer of the Ghana Armed Forces? They celebrate the Ghana Army, so we will get to the bottom of it. We have the names of every single one of them, and we will demand justice within the military system for the actions of those officers, because they are a disgrace to the Ghana Armed Forces. We will abide by the law, but we will not allow anybody to take the law into their hand and come and misbehave here, not in Ningo Prampram, ” he added.
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