The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has firmly refuted recent claims suggesting the withdrawal of military personnel deployed to Mepe in the Volta Region after the Akosmobo Dam spillage.
Media reports and social media posts had insinuated that the soldiers engaged in humanitarian relief efforts were recalled following higher authority orders.
However, in a statement dated Sunday, October 22, and signed by M.A. Larbi, Naval Captain and Director General of Public Relations, GAF has categorically dismissed these reports as “inaccurate.”
GAF has explicitly stated that the information circulating on platforms such as Twitter (X), indicating that military personnel were withdrawn from Mepe and other affected communities, is false.
The armed forces affirmed that no “orders from above” have been issued for the personnel to withdraw, emphasizing that the Humanitarian Relief Operations, known as “Operation Boafo,” is being executed in phases.
According to the statement, GAF is unwavering in its commitment to providing urgent, equitable, and appropriate support to those affected by the dam spillage, in collaboration with various stakeholders.
The statement also highlighted that the personnel from the Naval Riverine Command and the Army’s 48 Engineer Regiment are actively conducting relief operations in Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Adidome, Aveyime, New Bakpa, Big Ada Ada Foah, and neighboring communities.
According to the statement, these dedicated individuals are equipped with 10 Naval Boats and four Engineer Assault Boats. Since October 13, 2023, GAF has successfully rescued approximately 12,000 individuals.
Earlier, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had asserted that military personnel had left the area. He later confirmed their return, citing the reversal of the withdrawal order from “above.”
He also indicated that the order had been rescinded, allowing the soldiers to return with their boats and resume their crucial duties, promising to identify those responsible for the initial order.
