Northern Command GOC Warns Soldiers Against Misuse of Uniform, Extortion and Drug Abuse
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Ghana Armed Forces’ Northern Command, Brigadier General Franklyn Worlanyo Agbebo, has warned military personnel that engaging in misconduct, including abusing their uniforms on social media, extorting civilians and using drugs, could cost them their jobs.
He said the command would take disciplinary action against soldiers whose behaviour falls below the professional standards of the military, particularly those who use social media platforms such as TikTok to post inappropriate videos while wearing their uniforms.
Brigadier General Agbebo gave the warning on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the 10 Mechanised Battalion Barracks in Tamale during the launch of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, Volume 1, authored by the battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Bampoe Palmer.
Emphasising the command’s readiness to deal with offenders, he said personnel found engaging in such acts would be made to face disciplinary proceedings.
“We are going to try some soldiers and punish them,” Brigadier General Agbebo warned, adding that the process would soon begin against those found culpable.
He also expressed concern about soldiers who use their military positions to interfere in land disagreements, debt recovery and other private disputes. According to him, it was unacceptable for personnel to use their authority or involve other soldiers to intimidate civilians in matters that should be handled through lawful channels.
He urged military personnel facing personal disputes to seek help from the police and other relevant civil authorities rather than resorting to intimidation or using their positions to settle such matters.
He reminded soldiers that their conduct should be guided by the expectation that they must be able to account for their actions to their commanders.
“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.
The GOC further warned that soldiers who take money from civilians unlawfully by using their military status would face serious consequences. He also cautioned against impersonation and other forms of misconduct that could undermine public trust in the institution.
On drug and substance abuse, Brigadier General Agbebo said the practice posed a serious risk within the military because personnel routinely handle firearms and live ammunition. He stressed that the command would not allow substance use that could affect soldiers’ judgement or compromise the safe performance of their duties.
He called on officers and other ranks to protect the reputation associated with the military uniform, pointing out that the actions of a few individuals could negatively affect public confidence in the entire Ghana Armed Forces.
The event also saw the launch of the first volume of Lieutenant Colonel Palmer’s memoir, which traces his military career, including his participation in international peacekeeping missions and his various leadership responsibilities.
The publication documents his experiences in Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. It also covers his assignment in Liberia, where he served as a battalion adviser from December 2022 to May 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Palmer said the book was intended to preserve practical military experiences and lessons that could guide personnel who would serve in the future.
He noted that the memoir did not focus solely on his accomplishments but also examined the challenges, mistakes and opportunities that influenced his growth as an infantry officer.
He expressed confidence that the publication would provide useful insights for young officers, aspiring military leaders, instructors, researchers and the wider public.
