The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says the allegation that its own lands have been protected by the services of land guards is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
The Minority in parliament has questioned the commitment of government and security agencies in fighting activities of landguards in the country.
The Chief Director for the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources Prof. Patrick Agbesinyale said this during a meeting with the Lands and Forestry Committee in Parliament.
He said his Ministry, the Police and the Military engage land guards to reclaim and protect their lands at a fee.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, GAF has described the claims as “unimaginable”.
Below is the full statement from GAF
GAF DOES NOT RELY ON THE SERVICES OF LAND GUARDS
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has monitored with dismay, a news story alleging that it uses the services of land guards to reclaim its encroached lands. GAF wishes to assure all well-meaning Ghanaians that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
It is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.
GAF deems it as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10 July 2023. We wish to stress that this allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North to the media is false and should be ignored.
Accordingly, GAF wishes to once again urge the media and the public not to hesitate to contact the Department of Public Relations to clarify stories of this nature before publishing them.
At this critical time, GAF’s focus is geared towards protecting the frontiers of our country against the downward spread of violent extremism from the Sahel Region and the least the Institution expects are issues that distract us (GAF) from focusing on protecting the country.
The Ghana Armed Forces would once again assure the general public of its continuous commitment to ensuring peace and security for the socio-economic development of Ghana.
E AGGREY-QUASHIE
Brigadier General
Director General Public Relations
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
