BY Nadia Ntiamoah
An alleged smear campaign against Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner to Canada, General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, appears to have triggered a strong backlash from some soldiers who have come to his defence, insisting that attempts to tarnish his reputation will not erase what they describe as a distinguished record of military service.
General Oppong-Peprah is currently serving as the Deputy High Commissioner to Canada, following his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama. His diplomatic posting has, however, been accompanied by what his supporters describe as a sustained smear campaign aimed at creating doubts about his integrity and ultimately forcing the President to reconsider his appointment.
According to accounts circulating among some soldiers, the campaign began with individuals presenting themselves as “Friends of Oppong-Peprah” and publishing material in the traditional media and on social media platforms advising the General not to accept the diplomatic appointment.
That attempt did not succeed. General Oppong-Peprah accepted the national assignment and is now at post in Canada as Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner.
The alleged campaign subsequently shifted towards claims involving the procurement of armoured vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces.
Critics sought to link the General to the purchase of some old armoured vehicles reportedly acquired around 2022/23. His defenders, however, have challenged the allegation by pointing to the timeline of his appointments.
General Oppong-Peprah became Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) in 2024, meaning he was not occupying that position when the alleged procurement took place.
According to his supporters, procurement of capital goods for the Ghana Armed Forces is handled through the appropriate structures at General Headquarters, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
They therefore argue that attempts to personally associate General Oppong-Peprah with procurement decisions allegedly made before he became CDS are misleading.
The soldiers who reportedly encountered discussions surrounding the allegations say the campaign did not stop there.
According to them, the alleged strategy expanded to include plans to associate the General with purported business transactions, properties in Ghana and abroad, and the alleged sale of Ghana Armed Forces lands.
They believe the accusations are part of an organised effort to damage the reputation of a senior military officer whose career, in their view, has been marked by significant achievements.
The soldiers have particularly pointed to General Oppong-Peprah’s contribution to infrastructure development within military barracks.
They argue that during his years of military leadership, he played an important role in the provision of accommodation and other infrastructure for personnel, projects which they say have improved living conditions within the barracks.
According to the soldiers, some of the projects associated with his tenure are now being commissioned by the present military high command, which they regard as evidence of the lasting nature of his contribution to the Ghana Armed Forces.
Another major achievement cited by his supporters is the establishment of the Army Peace Operations Training School at Bundase.
The soldiers say the initiative strengthened the capacity to train personnel for international peace operations and subsequently earned the institution a United Nations Certificate of Recognition in what they describe as a record period.
They point to the French recognition he received, including a medal associated with French President Emmanuel Macron, as further evidence of the international recognition of his contribution to military and peacekeeping efforts.
