Another incident of ammunition theft has been uncovered within the Ghana Armed Forces, raising renewed concerns about national security and the integrity of internal military operations.
Speaking to the media during a working visit, the Minister for Defence, Dr. Omane Boamah, disclosed that while investigations into the widely reported 2024 case of missing ammunition are still ongoing, recent findings suggest that similar, and possibly more serious, thefts may have occurred in previous years without detection.
“This is the second time in a relatively short period that such a disturbing discovery has been made,” Dr. Boamah said during a press briefing at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra on July 23.
The Defence Minister expressed grave concern over the trend, warning that stolen arms could easily fall into the hands of criminal elements seeking to destabilize the country.
He emphasized that the proliferation of such weapons poses a direct threat to national security, especially in regions already grappling with incidents of armed violence and unrest.
“When these weapons end up in the wrong hands, they are often used against the state contributing to rising insecurity in some parts of the country,” he cautioned.
Dr. Boamah assured the public that a full-scale investigation is underway, with both internal military protocols and external intelligence mechanisms activated to uncover the individuals or networks involved.
“Anyone found culpable will be treated as a criminal and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of rank or position,” he stated firmly.
As part of his working tour, the Minister also visited the Ghana Military Academy and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, where he held closed-door meetings with senior military officials.
These engagements, he noted, are part of a broader strategy to strengthen institutional oversight, reinforce security protocols, and ensure the accountability of military resources.
Dr. Boamah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding national security and called for heightened vigilance within the armed forces. He also urged the general public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities related to arms movement or illegal possession.
This latest revelation adds to growing public concern about the state of arms control within the military and underscores the urgent need for reforms to prevent future breaches.
By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey
