The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially denied circulating reports that the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, was attacked during his recent visit to Bawku in the Upper East Region. In a strongly worded statement released on April 25, 2025, GAF clarified that the news, which gained momentum following the release of two widely shared videos on social media, is entirely false and misleading.
The statement, signed by the Director General of Public Relations, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, firmly dismissed the content of the videos and described them as baseless fabrications that should be treated with absolute disregard. According to the release, Major General Gbetanu’s operational visit to Bawku on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, was executed smoothly and concluded without any incidents of concern.
GAF emphasised that the footage being circulated has no connection to the events of the COAS’s official mission and was clearly designed to misinform the public. Authorities have expressed strong disapproval of such actions, stating that the intention behind the videos appears to be the incitement of public fear and confusion in an already sensitive security environment.
As part of measures to maintain public trust and reinforce security, GAF revealed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the misleading videos. The military added that any individuals or groups found responsible will face the full rigours of the law.
In light of the incident, GAF issued a stern warning to media practitioners, bloggers, and content creators, urging them to verify the authenticity of any information regarding military operations before sharing it publicly. The statement warned that any further publication of false content about the security situation in Bawku could pose serious risks, not only to peace efforts but also to the lives of civilians and personnel stationed in the region.
The Ghana Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and professionalism, stressing that accurate information remains crucial in securing lasting peace and order in conflict-prone areas. They also reminded the general public to depend on official channels for updates on military activities, rather than relying on unverified content spread across digital platforms.
The security situation in Bawku has been a matter of national attention, and efforts continue to be made towards ensuring calm and stability. The military’s clarification seeks to put to rest growing concerns and reassure citizens that there has been no breach involving the Chief of the Army Staff.
This statement by GAF is not only a defence of truth but also a call for responsible journalism and content creation. The spread of misinformation, especially in volatile areas, can have grave consequences, and the military is determined to prevent such outcomes. The public has also been encouraged to play its part by reporting suspicious or misleading content to the appropriate authorities.
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