Indebtedness, insubordination, indiscipline: Ghana Armed Forces list the ‘sins’ of Jakpa

The Ghana Armed Forces on Thursday, July 18, 2024, appeared before the Accra High Court in the ongoing trial of Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, after being subpoenaed by lawyers of the third accused in the case, Richard Jakpa.

Lawyers summoned the Military Secretary of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Air Commodore Nana Adu Gyamfi, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, to testify on Jakpa’s military record after the prosecution tendered military records of the third accused, including his discharge letter, into evidence, but only the former was present.

During the cross-examination by the lawyers of Jakpa, Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi, who is in charge of the army's records, affirmed that he was not the person who released the military record of Jakpa that the Office of the Attorney General presented to the court.

It was Attorney General Godfred Dame’s cross-examination of the witness that gave more details on Jakpa’s military record.

The Attorney General made Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi read a report on Jakpa’s conduct while in the army, which pointed to a lot of issues.

The report, which was filed by the then commanding officer of Jakpa, stated a number of infractions committed by the third accused while he was in the army, including his indebtedness and insubordination, among others.

Below are details of the report as read by the Military Secretary of the GAF:

Special report on the conduct of Lieutenant RA Jakpa, GH2899

The conduct of Lieutenant RA Jakpa GH2899 in the regiment (the Armoured Regiment in Burma Camp), over the period is not only unacceptable but smacks of indiscipline, lackadaisical and unprofessional.

The officer appeared on my interview (the then commanding officer K Oppong) twice. First, was on October 2, 2001, when the officer parked a military vehicle overnight at his home outside the barracks. The vehicle was detailed with the driver, but he took the vehicle, including the driver, to his house, sacked the driver to go, and left the vehicle at his home.

The second interview was on September 4, 2002, when the officer failed to return to his unit, 2 Independent Recce Squadrons, Sunyani, after taking part in the officer practical promotion exam in 2002. Squadron leaders of two Recce squadrons at different times reported indiscipline of Lieutenant RA Jakpa. The first report, dated January 18, 2002, was submitted by Captain Nii Osu Ansah, the then squadron leader, when the officer, after attending the course in Accra, failed to return to the unit after the course.

Captain B. (sic) also submitted another report dated June 28, 2002, on the officer when he again failed to return to his unit after the officers’ practical promotion exam in 2002. His second appearance on my interview was in connection with this.

In addition to these acts of indiscipline and unprofessional behaviour, the officer has been involved in a case of indebtedness to a local Lebanese businessman, one Mr Tarik, to the tune of $400 when he served with UNIFIL Gamba 57. It was upon strong messages from the Ghana Contingent headquarters that the officer settled the amount. Prior to this, a Ghanaian local brought a case before me where items including monies were given to him from Beirut by Ghanaians residing there but the items and the monies were not delivered until he was instructed to do so.

The officer was nominated to attend an orientation course on RATEB ICV course at the Regimental Headquarters at Recce Regiment for the period May 3 to May 28, 2004. He attended classes for only three days in week one, one day in week two, and one in week three. He has now been charged for (sic). The charge sheets and the proceedings of a summary of evidence will be submitted separately. Additionally, there are quite a number of undocumented cases of indiscipline and misconduct on the part of the officer which both officers and men of the regiment can attest to.

The conduct of Officer Jakpa in the regiment without doubt seems to have reached its climax since both formal and informal interviews are not yielding any positive results. Respectfully submitted for your necessary action.

K Oppong Kyere, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer

BAI/ ADG

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