The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has issued a statement denying reports linking one of its officers to the militant group, ISIS.
Below is the full statement:
REPORTS OF SOLDIER LINKED TO ISIS IS FALSE
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to state that a report indicating a Ghanaian soldier is under investigations for links with ISIS is UNTRUE. The soldier, Private Bawa Abdul Rahman was scheduled to appear on an interview at the General Headquarters a few days ago in respect of a disciplinary matter which came up after a field exercise some months ago. He however absconded and remains Absent Without Leave (AWOL). His scheduled interview was not in relation to any possible links with ISIS but purely a disciplinary hearing.
Subsequently a social media post went viral claiming the soldier absconded because he was being investigated for possible links with ISIS. The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to further state that following the social media post, the outcome of background checks and fact finding could not establish any such links. GAF is however still investigating the source of the social media post from which the media picked up that information for publication.
The Ghana Armed Forces therefore wishes to notify all media houses that the social media post is not authentic hence to desist from further publication and broadcast as the information therein is not correct. Furthermore, GAF wishes to assure the media and the public of positive collaboration to enhance the security of the state in an atmosphere of circumspection and with due regard for public safety and security.
SIGNED
COLONEL E AGGREY-QUASHIE
Director Public Relations