The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said its attention has been drawn to the unauthorised use of a military rank by Mr Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu, a lawyer.

According to GAF, the lawyer has been cited “addressing himself or being addressed as ‘Captain Retired or ‘Ex-Captain’ on posters projecting his political ambitions,” and also on some media platforms.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 4 May 2023, and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Naval Captain M.A. Larbi, GAF noted that the lawyer was “released from the Service on Thursday, 6 April 2023 on grounds of Voluntary Resignation of Commission after serving 5 years, 10 months and 18 days, which is not the standard number of years he is supposed to serve as an officer to make him entitled to use his rank in civil life.”

GAF further noted: “The actions of the lawyer are in contravention of the Armed Forces Regulations and he is, therefore, cautioned to cease using the rank in his civil life.”

It also urged media houses and the general public not to address the lawyer by any “military rank as he is not eligible to use it as a civilian.”

It stressed that members of the public who deal with the lawyer in the “capacity of a retired military officer do so at their own risk.”