Personnel not withdrawn from Mepe - GAF

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially refuted rumors of a military troop withdrawal from Mepe in the Volta Region following the recent Akosombo Dam spillage.

There were reports on Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter) that the soldiers deployed to provide support to the victims of the affected communities have been withdrawn upon orders from above.

The GAF in a press statement signed by the Director General Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi stated that the information in circulation was 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.

“Humanitarian Relief Operations (Operation Boafo), being conducted by the Ghana Navy's Riverine Command and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army is being executed in phases. As of 22 October 2023, the situation in Mepe has been brought under considerable control and therefore it became necessary to urgently redeploy some personnel and equipment to other distressed communities around Battor and its environs, which were in dire need of support,” he said.

He stated that an Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate GAF activities in a harmonised manner in conjunction with NADMO had been set up as the operations being conducted have been varied to suit the evolving situation.

He added that the personnel deployed to the affected communities were equipped with 10 Naval Boats and four Engineer Assault Boats and has since rescued about 12,000 persons since October 13, 2023.

The GAF reiterated its commitment to ensuring urgent, equitable and appropriate response and support to all persons and communities affected by the spillage in conjunction with all stakeholders.