Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has meted out punishments to soldiers recorded beating some residents of Wa in a viral social media video.
Addressing Parliament on the issue on Thursday 8 July, Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister of Defence stated that, three soldiers have been demoted while eight others have been handed thirty days each in detention.
He said, “With the exception of the duty officer, all personnel who were on duty on the day of the incident have even charged, tried and appropriately punished. The various forms of punishment given to these officers are as follows; the orderly sergeant who was a Staff Sergeant has been reduced to Corporal rank, the guard commander, a Corporal has been reduced to Private rank, and the Sentry on duty who was a Lance Corporal has been reduced to a Private.”
Nitiwul added, “Eight other soldiers who were deeply involved or visibly identified in the videos brutalizing citizens have been charged, tried and awarded thirty days each in detention by a committee chaired by the Commanding Officer.”
The minister revealed that the duty officer would be arraigned before a military disciplinary committee for trial on or before 14 July 2021.
“The trial of the duty officer, who is a Lieutenant, will, however, commence on or before Wednesday 14 July 2021. All the above trials and punishments are without prejudice but are the outcome of the various forms of investigation.
“The remaining soldiers who were also involved in the incident but not identified as brutalising officers will all be transferred out of the region immediately,” Nitiwul added.
Elliot Nuertey
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
#GreenGhana
#WeLoveOurLand
