New Ammunition Theft Rocks Ghana Armed Forces

Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr Omane Boamah, has disclosed a new case of ammunition theft within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), intensifying concerns about national security breaches and raising alarms over weak internal military controls.

Speaking to the media during a working tour of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Dr Boamah revealed that although investigations into the high-profile 2024 missing ammunition case are ongoing, new intelligence points to additional, potentially more serious incidents of theft in previous years that may have gone undetected.

“This is the second time in a relatively short period that such a disturbing discovery has been made,” he stated.

The Minister warned that the illegal diversion of military weapons poses a grave threat to national security. He linked rising insecurity in certain parts of the country to the unchecked spread of stolen arms.

“When these weapons end up in the wrong hands, they are often used against the state, contributing to rising insecurity in some parts of the country,” he cautioned.

A full-scale investigation has been launched, with both internal military auditors and external intelligence agencies tasked with tracing those responsible. Dr Boamah assured the public that the government would act firmly and impartially.

“Anyone found culpable will be treated as a criminal and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of rank or position,” he asserted.

As part of his tour, the Minister also visited the Ghana Military Academy and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. There, he held closed-door meetings with senior military officials to review existing security protocols and discuss urgent reforms.

“These meetings are part of a broader plan to reinforce military oversight, tighten asset management systems, and restore accountability within the ranks,” he explained.

Dr Boamah reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security. He urged both military personnel and civilians to assist in efforts to clamp down on illegal arms activity by reporting any suspicious movement or possession of weapons.

“This is not just a military issue; it’s a national one. We all have a role to play in protecting Ghana,” he concluded.