Soldiers misusing military uniforms on social media risk dismissal – Northern Command GOC
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Ghana Armed Forces’ Northern Command, Brigadier General Franklyn Worlanyo Agbebo, has warned that soldiers who misuse military uniforms on social media, extort money from civilians or abuse drugs risk dismissal from the service.
He said the command would take disciplinary action against personnel whose conduct undermines military professionalism, particularly those who use platforms such as TikTok to publish inappropriate videos while wearing military uniforms.
Brigadier General Agbebo gave the warning on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at the 10 Mechanised Battalion Barracks during the launch of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, Volume 1, authored by the battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Bampoe Palmer.
The GOC also condemned the involvement of soldiers in land disputes, debt recovery and other private matters, particularly where they exploit their military positions or mobilise colleagues to intimidate civilians.
He urged personnel with personal grievances to seek assistance from the police and other appropriate civil authorities rather than resorting to force or using their military status to influence disputes.
“Whatever you do and you don’t want your commander to hear it means that you are doing bad. You don’t do it. That should be a guiding principle,” he said.
Brigadier General Agbebo further cautioned soldiers against extortion and impersonation, warning that personnel who unlawfully obtain money from civilians by exploiting their military status would face serious consequences.
He also raised concerns about drug and substance abuse within the ranks, describing the practice as particularly dangerous in a profession where personnel handle weapons and live ammunition.
He said the command would not tolerate substance abuse that compromised soldiers’ ability to perform their duties safely.
The GOC urged officers and soldiers to protect the integrity of the military uniform, warning that the misconduct of individual personnel could undermine public confidence in the Ghana Armed Forces.
Infantry officer launches memoir
The warning came during the launch of the first volume of Lieutenant Colonel James Bampoe Palmer’s memoir, which documents his military career, including international peacekeeping deployments and leadership assignments.
The book recounts his experiences in Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, as well as his service in Liberia from December 2022 to May 2025 as a battalion adviser.
Lieutenant Colonel Palmer said the publication was intended to preserve professional experiences and lessons for future generations of military personnel.
He said the memoir reflected not only his achievements but also the challenges, mistakes and opportunities that shaped his development as an infantry officer.
He expressed hope that it would serve as a resource for young officers, aspiring military leaders, instructors, researchers and the general public.
