Ghana Armed Forces physical training instructor criticises Sam George over confrontation with military officer

Physical Training Instructor Twumasi Barimah, popularly known as the Commander General of the Ghana Armed Forces, has criticised Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George over his handling of a confrontation with a military officer in the Ningo-Prampram Constituency. The criticism follows comments by Sam George over an alleged military operation in his constituency involving Lieutenant Albert Goh and other soldiers.

The minister had accused the officer of leading heavily armed soldiers into the constituency and seizing several trucks without lawful authorisation. He described the alleged conduct of the soldiers as being akin to armed robbery and called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to dismiss Lieutenant Goh. READ ALSO: Sam George calls for dismissal of military officer over alleged misconduct in Ningo-Prampram Mr George also warned that soldiers who returned to the constituency to brutalise residents would face resistance.

“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,” he said. He went on to identify Lieutenant Goh by name and disclose his official service number, describing him as a disgrace to the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr Barimah said the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, should have sought clarification about the military operation before publicly criticising the officer involved. He also questioned the minister’s decision to disclose the officer’s service number, arguing that his comments could incite residents against military personnel.

Addressing the minister, Mr Barimah said his public remarks suggested that he had allowed his emotions to influence his response to the incident. “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.

He further argued that the minister had not demonstrated sufficient understanding of military procedures and the responsibilities associated with an officer’s rank. “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. Mr Barimah also cautioned the minister against allowing emotions to shape his public pronouncements, warning that such conduct could have 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.