Samuel Nartey George clarifies comments on Ningo-Prampram military operation

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has clarified that his recent confrontation with military personnel during an operation in Ningo-Prampram was not intended as an attack on the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The Minister provided this clarification following a meeting with the Minister for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the three Service Commanders. The high-level meeting was convened to address concerns stemming from a viral video of the incident.

The controversy began when footage emerged of the Minister confronting a military lieutenant on the ground in his constituency. During the encounter, George reportedly challenged the legitimacy of the operation and publicly identified the officer involved by name and service number. The exchange prompted a swift response from military circles, with Physical Training Instructor Twumasi Barimah, widely known as the Commander General, questioning why the Minister did not seek clarification through official channels before engaging the officer publicly.

Instructor Barimah criticized the Minister's decision to name the officer and challenge the chain of command in a public setting. He suggested that such actions could undermine military discipline and questioned whether the Minister would retract his comments or offer an apology if it were established that the operation had been ordered by higher authorities. Barimah's critique highlighted the friction caused when civilian leaders directly interfere with personnel executing field assignments.

In his official response after meeting with the military high command, Samuel Nartey George maintained that his remarks were never meant to target the GAF as an institution. The meeting served to resolve the tension generated by the viral footage and emphasize the importance of maintaining professional boundaries between government officials and security agencies. The incident underscores the sensitivities surrounding military deployments in civilian areas and the procedural expectations for elected officials when interacting with security forces.