A soldier lost his life on Saturday, August 18, in a fatal shooting incident at Michel Camp at Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
The details of the incident are scanty, but the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) explains that it was “a result of a suspected accidental discharge”.
The deceased, Private (Pte) Bayou Roger, from the 5 Infantry Battalion, was part of a platoon from the Southern Command performing duties at the Base Ammunition Depot (BAD) near Michel Camp.
A statement signed by GAF Director General Public Relations, Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, said the incident occurred at about 7:50 AM at the Base Ammunition Depot.
“Preliminary investigative report indicates the soldier was seen sitting on his bed, waiting to relieve his colleague at a duty post at 0800 hours when his rifle went off, hitting him under his chin; killing him instantly. The body of the deceased soldier has since been conveyed to the 37 Military Hospital mortuary.
The statement added that a team from the Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service at the Gbetsele Police Station is collaborating
with the Military Police to investigate the fatal incident.
The high-ranking military official added, “GAF takes this opportunity to express its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, friends and loved ones of the deceased soldier”.
Accidental fatalities within GAF are rare but serve as a stark reminder of the dangers soldiers face while fulfilling their duty.