The Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) has for the umpteenth time cautioned civilians against the use of military-pattern uniforms and accoutrements especially by protesters during demonstrations.

The armed forces in a statement worriedly said despite the continuous education and warnings to the public to desist from these practices, the trend rather appears to be on the increase.

The statement cited the recent demonstration in Accra by Democracy Hub and other groups where it said it observed that some protesters and persons purported to be providing private security to some dignitaries were dressed in military pattern camouflage uniforms and other accoutrements.

The GAF noted that the probability for these individuals being wrongly perceived to be soldiers has the propensity of drawing the image of GAF into disrepute.

These act according to GAF is in contravention of the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD) 177 of 1967, which is still in force. This decree in part states that “no person shall wear or use any military uniforms, equipment, or accoutrements unless he or she is a member of the Armed Forces of Ghana”.

GAF also expressed worry that persons with criminal motives use their accoutrements to impersonate and outwit unsuspecting members of the public in order to perpetuate crime

Henceforth, GAF has warned it will arrest any culprit to face the full rigours of the law.