The soldier recently seen in a viral video supporting the '#DropThatChamber' social media campaign against the construction of a new Parliamentary chamber has been stripped of his rank and also sentenced to 90 days imprisonment with hard labour at the guardroom, Graphic Online has gathered.
Lance Corporal Lincoln Isaac Wassah of 2 Recce Squadron in Sunyani, was seen in a military uniform in the viral video supporting the social media campaign.
This, according to military regulations was against the rules of engagement.
#DropThatChamber
The "#DropThatChamber" campaign was initiated on social media with the aim of mounting pressure on Parliament to discontinue a proposal to build a new chamber that could accommodate about 450 Members of Parliament (MPs) at a cost of US$200 million.
Many people joined the social media campaign that was also intended to mobilise about two million people to march on the streets to register their displeasure.
People from all walks of life, including celebrities, made posts on various social media platforms against the proposed new chamber.
Following public pressure, the Parliamentary Service Board (PSB) subsequently suspended the project.
Punishment
It was during the social media campaign period that L/Cpl Wassah Lincoln Isaac also made a video to warn President Akufo-Addo not to buy into the idea of supporting the construction of the new Parliamentary chamber since there were many other pressing issues facing the country. Following the release of the video, L/Cpl Wassah was arrested by the Military High Command for interrogation.
A board of inquiry was set up by the Commanding Officer of the Recce Regiment Gondar Barracks Burma camp, Graphic Online has gathered from highly placed sources.
The board, Graphic Online gathers was chaired by the Commanding Officer of the Unit, Lt Colonel W.A.K. Ackah.
Other members included Captain V. Bempong, WO1 Dafliso V, Sgt Attor R and Lance Corporal Okumtey J.O.
L/Cpl Wassah was said to have shown no sign of remorse during his interrogations, Graphic Online gathered.
After questions and answers, Graphic Online gathers the board came out with their judgement and concluded that L/Cpl Wassah should be stripped of his rank, and sentenced to 90 days imprisonment with hard labour at the guardroom.
Source: Graphic Online
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In fact, the soldier's words and demeanor were harsh. If one gives him a raffle to stage a coup, he'd shoot. But this is a signal to Akuffo Addo gov't that his voters are not happy. Flag Staff House cars have been given to his boys to enjoy and would come on social media to insu.lt everyone. Mahama used that strategy and Ghanaians showed him the red card. We are suffering. Nothing has changed. That's a fact.
JUST FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS IN POWER GHANAIANS ARE JUST BREATHLESS BECAUSE OF TYRANNY BY THE AKUFO ADDO GOVERNMENT. WHY? SHOULD THIS CONTINUE AFTER 2020? ARE WE COWARDS IN THIS COUNTRY TO JUST KEEP QUITE AND NOT SPEAK? WHO SPOKE MORE THAN AKUFO ADDO DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY REA OF JJ RAWLINGS? WHY SHOULD AKUFO ADDO THINK HE IS THE ONLY LIVING BEING IN GHANA? HE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THE AGE OF 74 HE HAS LESS YEARS TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH ALL THINGS BEIN EQUAL, TO BORROW THE LANGUAGE OF THE ECONOMISTS. AKUFO ADDO SHOULD GIVE US A BREAK.
in fact, the military man did nothing wrong for boldly speaking his mind on what the majorities of Ghanaians kick against. We have seen many uniforms officers criticizing seating president and how come only akufo ado time no criticism? akufo ado has set a bad record for instructing the military high command to punish the young soldier he will surely not get a vote from the family of this young guy. If the military does not allow criticisms of a seating gov, then they don't understand freedom of speech in ghana.akufo ado will surely be voted out in 2020.he is just too wicked
Thanks so much Joe for the education. I am impressed. I think the soldier was ***barred word*** about the basic laws if being a military person.
I think the govt and the politicians should know the extent people are getting annoyed. you may punish the soldier alright but it should wake people up. the pain and quietness of people in Ghana now could cause explosion one day. the selfishness, greed and discrimination is becoming too many.
From the comments I can understand most people don't know anything about the military. in the military you can not just say what you feel in public it is not allowed. That is why the ARMY is the most respected & discipline institution in the country. remember they have their own police & court & guard room. We are civilians they are military very big difference.
hahahahaha, oh Ghana.Next time, they will not criticize openly, but they will act!
You don't know and after you have been taught you still don't want to learn. No junior officer in the military should command a superior officer; it is strictly against their codes of engagement. This junior spoke his mind but he in the process COMMANDED the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF who is the president. Rules are rules and must be respected no matter how you feel about it. So in brief he committed a serious error as military man in uniform which you as civilian would consider as such. Drop that populist sentiment and let's keep to the rules.
My friend take your lectures to the dogs. The man is a Ghanaian first before he became a soldier. I am sure he knew what he was doing that is why he stood his ground even when he faced the disciplinary committee. The fact of the matter is that he did nothing wrong. Damn their so called cold of conduct.
Dear Ben and Hansen, what you must realise is that the Military institution is VERY different from civilian institutions and they have STRICT codes of conduct, which contributes immensely to what we all testify to as 'Military men being disciplined people' What this military man did was a very serious breach of the code of conduct of the military. As a military officer you are NOT 'free to speak your mind" like a civilian- you must respect and obey the code....remember the famous 'obey before complain' mantra? Yes that is a major difference between the military and civilian institution; and it has served the military well over time. In my estimation, this was a gross misconduct by the military man and I'm quite surprised he wasn't dismissed. He got off lightly to be frank.