The top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been divided following accusations of coup plans.
Reports from The Herald, point to the fact that on September 9, 2024, operational briefing for Service Commanders devolved into chaos as the Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, accused the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Training, Major General Joseph Aphour, of reporting him to President Nana Akufo-Addo, for allegedly plotting a coup d’état.
In an attempt to respond to the allegation and provide clarity, Major General Joseph Aphour was ordered to shut up to the dismay of all high ranking officers present.
Sources close to The Herald revealed that, Maj. Gen. Aphour, had informed President Akufo-Addo that Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah, had built a clandestine network among the soldiers providing VVIP protection, and had plans of allegedly using them to stage a coup.
Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah, who was previously Chief of Army Staff, had provide VVIP protection to various high-profile figures, including the President, Vice-President, Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Ministers of State, Presidential staffer, some parliamentarians and family members of the President. Soldiers providing the VVIP protections are soldiers from the 64 Infantry Regiment, and it is said they hold allegiance to Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah.
According to sources, these claims were made before Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah was appointed CDS. Others also claim the accusations are fresh, and was in a bid for Major General Aphour to take over from Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah after he was dismissed by the President.
The CDS, felt terribly betrayed by Maj. Gen. Aphour, as he (CDS) considered him (Maj. Gen. Aphour) an ally.
