The Ghana Armed Forces has warned the civil public in Tema of its intention to use "appropriate force" to counter any further attacks on its naval installations or personnel.

A statement signed by Brigadier-General E Aggrey-Quashie, Director-General, Public Relations of the armed forces, explained that a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy was attacked by a crowd partaking in a festival at Tema Newtown at about 7:53 pm on Friday, 12 April 2024 leading to the damage of the vehicle.

The army said three of the naval personnel onboard the vehicle also sustained "severe injuries" and were sent to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for treatment. 

"In the course of the confrontation, three suspects were arrested by the naval personnel" and "were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations."

According to the account of the army, "A mob suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues". 

"At a stage, the security of the Base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations, warning shots were fired to repel the attack", the army noted.

It said: "It was later reported by the police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained".

The army said: "Again, on Saturday, 13 April 2024, the mob attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of property".

"The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, has commenced investigations into the incident", it noted, adding: "Findings of the investigations will be made available in due course." 

The Ghana Armed Forces commiserated with the bereaved families and urge calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated.

"We wish, however, to caution the youth of Tema that any further attacks on our installations or personnel would be met with the appropriate response", the army warned