Home - 'One day, you will find yourself in somebody's left' - Military officer warns Sam George

Physical Training Instructor Twumasi Barimah, popularly known as the Commander General of the Ghana Armed Forces, has criticised the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, over his confrontation with a military lieutenant at Ningo-Prampram.

According to the Commander General, the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, was wrong to confront the military officer without first seeking clarification on the nature of the military operation in his constituency.

He argued that the minister’s public comments about the officer, including the disclosure of his service number, were inappropriate and could potentially incite residents against the military.

“It has gotten to the point where you are quick-tempered and your inability to control your emotions has led you to publicly mention the service number of a lieutenant. Your statement also appears to be instigating the public by suggesting that the next time the lieutenant or any soldier comes around, he will face the laws of the streets,” he said.

Commander General further questioned Sam George’s understanding of military operations, urging him to exercise restraint and seek clarification before making public pronouncements.

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“George, you don't understand how the military operates. Even the signing of rifles for a place led by a lieutenant, you don't understand how operations work. So, since you have said your friend and colleague is the Minister of Defence, you should have taken your time.

“You should have come down and found out. Calling the lieutenant a mere lieutenant? No. Do you know what it takes to become a lieutenant? And you are calling the lieutenant a disgrace to the Ghana Armed Forces? No. Come back again, Honourable,” he said.

He also cautioned the minister against allowing his emotions to influence his public statements, warning that such conduct could have serious consequences.

“You see, sometimes, some of you think you are right because you believe you know better. You think you are right. You think you are right. You will one day find yourself in somebody’s left. I am telling you the truth. Take it straight,” he warned.

Samuel Nartey George lost his cool at a military officer identified as Lieutenant Albert Goh over allegations that the officer had been terrorising residents of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.

According to the minister, the officer allegedly stormed the constituency with heavily armed soldiers and seized a number of trucks without any lawful order.

He described the conduct of the soldiers, allegedly acting under the lieutenant’s instructions, as akin to armed robbery.

Speaking on the matter, Sam George warned that any soldier who returned to Ningo-Prampram to brutalise residents would face the consequences.

He also described Lieutenant Goh as a disgrace to the Ghana Armed Forces and called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to take disciplinary action against him.

“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.

The minister further disclosed that he would take up the matter with the Minister of Defence to ensure that the soldiers involved were held accountable for their actions.

“Picking weapons from the Ghana Armed Forces armory, coming here, seizing the tracks of citizens without any lawful order, driving that track for two weeks, somebody's property. You are a thief.”

He maintained that the people of Ningo-Prampram deserved justice, adding that the matter would be pursued through the appropriate military disciplinary channels.

“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,” he added.

AM

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