GAF warns the public against the sale and use of military-style uniforms and accoutrement without a permit.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it is putting measures in place to prevent the unlicensed sale and use of military-pattern uniforms and accoutrement by individuals and institutions.
Among these measures are the internal streamlining and coordination of the issuance and sale of military uniforms and accoutrements by Units and Service Headquarters, as well as the arrest of those involved in the act.
Military uniforms and accoutrements would be issued and sold by Units and Service Headquarters through Service and Post Exchange Shops after proper verification and identification of personnel.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed yesterday by the GAF's Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain M. A Larbi, and copied to the Ghanaian Times.
The GAF expressed grave concern about the rising rate of unauthorized use of military uniforms by the general public, despite the security agency's ongoing education and warnings.
According to the GAF, this act created a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnished its image, necessitating its abolition.
"A major source of concern for GAF is that, despite continuous public education and warnings issued to the general public to refrain from the unauthorized use of military uniforms," the statement said.
"Noting that these acts create a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnish the image of the military," the statement continued, "GAF will not allow this situation to persist and will therefore step up arrests of these persons and deal with them severely but in accordance with the due process of the law."
The act was an outright violation of the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD)177 of 1967, which states in part that "no person 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."
According to the decree, the GAF recently rounded up some people who were captured in a viral video wearing various shades of military camouflage uniforms in Kumasi.
However, the GAF stated that it was later discovered that these individuals were members of the District Assembly Taskforce performing duties for the District Assembly.
Furthermore, the GAF stated that military personnel who allow relatives and friends access to uniforms and accoutrements or engage in unauthorized disposal of such items would be dealt with equally in accordance with its regulations and national laws.
In light of this, the GAF pleaded for the general public's cooperation in resolving the issue, while also advising them to refrain from the act, which was prohibited under NLCD 177.
It also assured the general public of its commitment to protecting citizens at all times, and thus asked for everyone's help in enforcing these measures in the interest of the country's socioeconomic development.
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