Akufo-Addo instructs interdiction of National Security Council officer who allegedly assaulted soldier

The Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), President Nana Akufo-Addo has interdicted an official of the Bureau of National Communications of the National Security Council Secretariat.

Gerard Nana Osei-Tutu, was been interdicted with immediate effect after he allegedly attacked a soldier.

A press release by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the President who was disappointed with Nana Osei-Tutu’s conduct, instructed the Ministry responsible for National Security to commence a full investigation into the incident.

“The military constitutes a key layer in the country’s security architecture. Any infringement on the institution and its officers will not be tolerated,” the Ofoase Ayeribi MP added.

On Monday, the Director of Public Relations of the Armed Forces, Colonel Aggrey Quarshie, strongly condemned the attack on WO1 Mashud Salia.

He assured that authorities will bring the perpetrators to book adding that investigations have already commenced to identify the persons who physically abused the officer.

According to him, a high-level meeting has been held over the issue and an apology has been issued from the Ministry of National Security.

“The attention of the Military High Command has been drawn to an unfortunate incident which occurred on November 25, 2020, around Tulaku Junction, on the Ashaiman- Akosombo highway, in which a Warrant Officer (WOI Mashud Salia) was assaulted by some plain-clothed personnel of the National Signal Bureau.

“This bizarre incident has been roundly condemned by both the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command. The Sector Ministry of National Security has also, in a similar vein, condemned the actions of the personnel involved.

“As a first step toward redressing the problem, the Deputy National Security Minister, Henry Quartey and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen OB Akwa, have at an emergency durbar conveyed the sentiment of the two Ministries and rendered an unqualified apology to the said Warrant Officer and by extension to the Ghana Armed Forces.

“This durbar was held at Michel Camp, Tema on Saturday 28 November 2020 with troops of 1 Bn. All ranks have been assured that the matter is being thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

Colonel Aggrey called for calm and urged the officers to be professional as they go about their duties.

“It is reiterated that the ongoing investigations will be pursued vigorously and sanctions meted out as appropriate. In the meantime, all ranks have been urged to exhibit their usual sense of professionalism and tackle all duties with the same level of maturity.”