The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is ramping up efforts to counter false narratives circulating online, following viral social media videos alleging an attack on the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, during a visit to Bawku.
In a swift response, the military dismissed the claims as fabricated and dangerous misinformation. A statement released by the Director General of Public Relations, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, emphasized that the COAS’s tour of the conflict-prone Bawku area on Wednesday, April 23, proceeded without incident.
“GAF wishes to state that the contents of the said videos are false and should be treated with the contempt that they deserve,” the statement asserted.
Disinformation Threatens Security in Bawku
With Bawku already under tight security due to ongoing tensions, the Armed Forces warned that false information could ignite fresh unrest.
“Any deliberate misinformation and disinformation of the populace has the potential to worsen the security situation in the area,” the statement added, calling for caution from bloggers, journalists, and digital content creators.
The military confirmed it is currently working to identify and prosecute those behind the viral videos. This move is part of broader efforts to protect operational integrity and prevent disinformation from compromising peace-building efforts in volatile regions.
GAF Urges Media Responsibility
In a pointed reminder to the press, the Ghana Armed Forces called for responsible and fact-based reporting, especially in sensitive regions like Bawku, where misinformation can quickly escalate tensions.
“GAF once again wishes to caution bloggers, content creators and the media at large to be circumspect in their reportage on GAF operations,” Brig. Gen. Aggrey-Quashie urged.
The COAS’s visit to Bawku was part of an official operational tour to assess ongoing military engagements in the region and to interact with personnel on the ground.
While tensions in Bawku remain high due to long-standing ethnic and chieftaincy disputes, GAF reassured the public of its commitment to peace and stability, while maintaining readiness to counter falsehoods that threaten national cohesion.
