Our Military Personnel Deployed To Mepe In Wake Of Dam Spillage Flood Disaster Are Still At The Post—GAF Fires Back  

THE GHANA Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed claims in sections of the media that the military high command has ordered military personnel deployed to Mepe, the most affected township following the recent pillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, to withdraw from the location and to put a stop to the humanitarian support services it is offering to the people of Mepe.

In a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Force (GAF), dated Sunday 22 October 2023, and signed by Naval Captain Ma Larbi, the Armed Forces called on well-meaning Ghanaians to disregard the media reportage, noting that the military to stay on the ground and offer its services to affected persons and communities for as long as it takes.

“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to debunk some media reports and a series of social media posts especially on Twitter (X), claiming that military personnel deployed to Mepe in Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosmobo Dam, have been withdrawn.

The statement which was copied to Soireenews.com stated that; “GAF wishes to categorically state that the information in circulation is inaccurate and that the personnel have not been given any ‘orders from above’ to withdraw from Mepe or any other community affected by the spillage contrary to the social media posts” the GAF statement read.

“It must be emphasised that the Humanitarian Relief Operations (Operation Boafo), being conducted by the Ghana Navy’s Riverine Command and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Army is being executed in phases.

“As of 22 October 2023, the situation in Mepe has been brought under considerable control and therefore it became necessary to urgently redeploy some personnel and equipment to other distressed communities around Battor and its environs, which were in dire need of support.

“Following the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to these distressed communities, the operations being conducted have been varied to suit the evolving situation” the statement further read.

The GAF press release further indicated that “for the purpose of this operation, GAF has established an Emergency Operations Centre which is coordinating all the GAF activities in a harmonized manner in conjunction with NADMO”.

“GAF therefore wishes to assure the general public that as recently reported in the media of the thousands of persons rescued and marked efforts being made to support victims, it will not relent in the quest to ensure urgent, equitable and appropriate response and support to all persons and communities affected by the spillage in conjunction with all stakeholders” the press release read.

At least 31,000 individuals in nine districts in the Volta Region have been affected by the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) confirmed.