Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations Stan Dogbe has issued an unreserved apology to a military officer following an altercation at the Ghana Military Academy Graduation Ceremony in Accra on Friday, January 30.
Dogbe came under intense public scrutiny after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing him pushing Corporal Ofosu, a uniformed military officer from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Public Relations wing, during the official ceremony attended by President John Dramani Mahama.
The officer was operating a camera and had moved into the line of sight of a live broadcast as the President was being filmed. The footage sparked online criticism, with many commentators questioning the appropriateness of the conduct at a state function and calling for accountability from senior government officials.
In a Facebook post issued hours after the ceremony, Dogbe acknowledged the incident and apologized directly to the officer involved, describing his action as a reaction to repeated disruption.
“This is to apologise to my friend, Cpl Ofosu, for physically pushing him away after his repeated disruption of a live camera operator during today’s ceremony,” he wrote.
He also extended the apology beyond the individual officer, recognizing the broader implications of the incident for relations between civilian officials and security personnel at public events.
“I know he and my other friends in uniform will accept my apology as we work to enhance and improve our existing collaboration at events,” Dogbe added.
The incident occurred shortly after President Mahama’s arrival at the parade grounds. The President had departed from his usual corporate attire, fully dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the Ghana Air Force, complete with appropriate accoutrements.
As Mahama moved to the ceremonial area, exchanging pleasantries with guests at the event, Corporal Ofosu was filming the graduation ceremony alongside other accredited media personnel when Dogbe shoved him.
Critics on social media argued that the action contradicted President Mahama’s repeated public statements urging government officials and security personnel to allow journalists to perform their duties without interference.
The Deputy Chief of Staff described Corporal Ofosu and other security personnel as colleagues and friends, stressing that the incident would not affect their working relationship. He underscored the importance of stronger cooperation and coordination between civilian officials and security agencies during public events.
The incident, which occurred in public view, quickly gained traction on social media, triggering debate over protocol, crowd control and the conduct of public officials at state functions.
Dogbe was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations earlier this month as part of President Mahama’s first batch of appointments to the Office of the President. He previously served in the same role during Mahama’s first term from 2013 to 2017.
Other appointees announced alongside Dogbe included Joyce Bawah Mogtari as Adviser and Special Aide to the President, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Seth Emmanuel Terkper as Presidential Adviser on the Economy, and Professor Francis Dodoo as Presidential Adviser for the National Anti Corruption Programme.
The Ghana Military Academy graduation ceremony marked the commissioning of officer cadets into the Ghana Armed Forces. Such ceremonies are considered significant state functions that require coordination between military protocol officers, civilian government officials and media personnel covering the event.
President Mahama has consistently emphasized press freedom and access to information since assuming office on January 7. During his inaugural address, he stressed his administration’s commitment to transparency and ensuring journalists can operate without hindrance.
The apology from Dogbe represents an acknowledgment that the incident fell short of the standards expected from senior government officials at formal state events. Whether the apology will be formally accepted by the Ghana Armed Forces or Corporal Ofosu personally remains unclear.
The incident has reignited discussions about the boundaries of authority at official functions and the appropriate ways for civilian officials to address concerns about media positioning without resorting to physical contact with military personnel performing official duties.
