The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have announced a series of operations to stop the unlicensed usage and selling of military-style attire.
These steps, which will strengthen the current procedures, are essential as a result of people and organisations who haven't been given permission to use the uniforms and accessories continuing to do so, according to GAF.
Most significantly, it was said, these actions are directed against miscreants and impersonators who go to great lengths to get these uniforms in order to commit fraud and other crimes.
GAF is extremely concerned about the tendency of unauthorised usage of military uniforms, which seems to be escalating despite ongoing public education efforts and warnings to the general public.
The current situation directly violates the still in effect National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD)177 from 1967. According to a statement from the GAF, this Decree stipulates in part that "no individual shall wear or use any military uniforms, equipment, or accoutrements, or other material, unless he or she is a member of the Armed Forces of Ghana."
"It is because of this that members of the 4 Infantry Battalion in Kumasi recently apprehended some individuals shown in a viral video assaulting some citizens in the Kwabre South District while donning various hues of military camouflage uniforms. Later it was discovered that these people were Taskforce members of the District Assembly serving the District Assembly. They were mistakenly identified as GAF employees due to their military-inspired camouflage clothing, which damaged the reputation of the GAF. Along with the aforementioned, GAF has recently detained a number of impersonators and turned them over to the Police for prosecution.
As a result, attempts are being made to stop the practise. "GAF has also observed with dismay the rising usage of military uniforms by certain private security employees, singers, and other performers.
It must be noted that, in addition to the fact that using these uniforms, accessories, and pieces of equipment by these unauthorised individuals or groups of individuals is against the law, other criminals also use them to pass for legitimate individuals while concealing their true identities in order to commit crimes.
GAF would not allow this scenario to continue and would now scale up the arrests of these people and deal with them severely but in line with the due process of the law, it emphasised. GAF said that these activities generate a sense of unease in the country and tarnish the image of the military.
The distribution and sale of military uniforms and accessories to troops have been simplified as part of GAF's internal procedures, and are now handled by Units and the Service Headquarters through Service and Post Exchange Shops, after due verification and
the personnel's identify.
As a result, military personnel who provide family members and friends access to their uniforms and other gear or dispose of it illegally will face the same punishment. would be treated equitably and in compliance with GAF rules and national legislation.
"Therefore, the Ghana Armed Forces request the general public's assistance to reduce the usage of military uniforms and accessories, especially by criminally inclined individuals. It is also suggested that unauthorised people, even famous people, refrain from donning military uniforms because it is against NLCD 177. Those who continue to break the law will be detained and subjected to the legal system's due process.
"The Ghana Armed Forces want to reaffirm to the public that they are dedicated to defending the populace at all times. To implement these measures in the interest of the necessary peace and security for Ghana's socioeconomic development, it consequently requires the assistance of all parties.