The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed rumours indicating the withdrawal of military personnel deployed to Mepe in the Volta Region following the Akosombo Dam spillage.
There were media reports and social media posts, alleging that the soldiers conducting humanitarian relief operations had been recalled upon orders from higher authorities.
In a statement dated Sunday, October 22, signed by M.A Larbi, Naval Captain for Director General, Public Relations, GAF categorically described this information as “inaccurate.”
The statement clarified that the personnel involved have not received any “orders from above” to withdraw from Mepe or any other affected community. GAF emphasized that the Humanitarian Relief Operations, known as Operation Boafo, are carried out in phases.
The operations are conducted by the Ghana Navy’s Riverine Command and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Army. GAF expressed its unwavering commitment to ensuring an urgent, equitable, and appropriate response to support all individuals and communities affected by the spillage.
The personnel from the Naval Riverine Command and the Army’s 48 Engineer Regiment remain deployed and actively engaged in the relief operations at various affected locations, including Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Adidome, Aveyime, New Bakpa, Big Ada, Ada Foah, and surrounding communities. These personnel are equipped with 10 Naval Boats and four Engineer Assault Boats.
Since October 13, 2023, GAF has successfully rescued approximately 12,000 individuals affected by the spillage.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Ablakwa, previously indicated that military personnel had departed the region but later confirmed their return. He expressed the need for empathy and justice for the over 12,000 displaced constituents impacted by the VRA-induced predicament.
Below is a copy of the GAF statement
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to debunk some media reports and 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to Mepe in the Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosmobo Dam, have been withdrawn.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