The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Ghana Armed Forces’ Northern Command, Brigadier General Franklyn Worlanyo Agbebo, has warned that soldiers who engage in misconduct, including extortion, drug abuse and the inappropriate use of military uniforms on social media, risk dismissal from the service.

He said the command would not hesitate to initiate disciplinary proceedings against personnel whose actions undermine military discipline, professionalism and the reputation of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Brigadier General Agbebo issued the warning on Wednesday, October 28, 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.

He expressed concern about soldiers using platforms such as TikTok to share inappropriate videos while wearing military uniforms, stressing that such conduct brings the military into disrepute.

“We are going to try some soldiers and punish them,” he warned, adding that disciplinary proceedings would soon commence against personnel found culpable.

The GOC also condemned the involvement of military personnel in land disputes, debt recovery and other private matters, particularly when they use their positions or mobilise fellow soldiers to intimidate civilians.

He urged personnel with personal grievances to seek assistance from the police and other appropriate civil authorities rather than resorting to intimidation or exploiting their military status.

“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 extorting money from civilians and impersonating officials, warning that anyone who exploits the military uniform or their position to obtain money unlawfully would face serious consequences.

He also raised concerns about drug and substance abuse among military personnel, describing the practice as particularly dangerous in a profession that involves handling weapons and live ammunition.

According to him, the command would not tolerate behaviour that compromises the safety, discipline and operational effectiveness of soldiers.

He urged officers and men to uphold the values of the military and protect the integrity of their uniforms, noting that the misconduct of a few individuals could undermine public confidence in the entire Ghana Armed Forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Palmer launches military memoir

The warning was delivered at the launch of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, Volume 1, which chronicles Lieutenant Colonel James Bampoe Palmer’s military career, including his international peacekeeping deployments and leadership experiences.

The book documents his experiences in Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

It also highlights his service in Liberia between December 2022 and May 2025, where he worked as a battalion adviser.

Speaking at the launch, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer said the publication was intended to preserve valuable professional experiences and lessons for future generations of military personnel.

He explained that the memoir captured not only his achievements but also the challenges, mistakes and opportunities that shaped his development as an infantry officer.

He expressed hope that the book would serve as a useful resource for young officers, aspiring military leaders, instructors, researchers and members of the general public.