The Ghana Armed Forces has issued a statement refuting claims that its personnel stationed at Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region had allegedly withdrawn from their posts while providing aid to victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.

Several media outlets had suggested that soldiers deployed to the area for humanitarian relief operations to assist those affected by the flooding had abandoned their responsibilities.

These reports were supported by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who was present in the area to aid in relief efforts.

In a post on social media, Mr Ablakwa raised concerns about whether the people of the region were being treated as second-class citizens due to the reported actions of the military personnel.

But the Ghana Armed Forces in a statement issued on Sunday, October 22, and signed by its Director General in charge of Public Relations, M.A Larbi Naval Captain said the information in circulation was “inaccurate.”

“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to debunk some media reports and 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to Mepe in Volta Region for Humanitarian Relief Operations following the spillage of the Akosombo Dam, have been withdrawn. 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" portions of the statement read.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the relief operations in Mepe are being conducted in a phased approach. As a result, the team redirected its efforts to other communities, such as Battor, since the situation in Mepe had been significantly stabilized.

The GAF clarified that the Humanitarian Relief Operations, known as "Operation Boafo," are being carried out jointly by the Ghana Navy's Riverine Command and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Army, and they are organized in a series of stages.

The statement reaffirmed the GAF's unwavering commitment to ensuring a prompt, fair, and suitable response to assist all individuals and communities affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage, while maintaining collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

“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.”

Shortly after his initial post on social media, the MP for North Tongu made another post claiming he had received information that the initial order from above had been reversed and that the soldiers had returned to their duty post.

“I am able to confirm that the military did indeed return following the reversal of that devious order from “above.”

“Let’s be clear, the over 12,000 displaced beloved constituents of mine have done nothing wrong to deserve their current VRA-induced predicament — all we ask for is empathy and justice.”

The flooding stemming from the discharge of water from the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams has compelled numerous communities in the North, South, and Central Tongu districts of the Volta Region to evacuate. As a result, they find themselves living in temporary, improvised shelters for the time being.

Data from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) reveals that over 26,000 individuals have been displaced due to these flood events. This has, for many, led to the devastating consequences of losing their homes, personal belongings, and sources of income.