Senior presidential aide apologizes after altercation with soldier at military ceremony

Mr. Stan Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Office of the President, has issued an unreserved public apology after a video showed him pushing a uniformed soldier during a high-profile state event.

The incident occurred on Friday at the Ghana Military Academy’s graduation ceremony in Accra, which was attended by President John Dramani Mahama.

The widely circulated footage shows Mr. Dogbe physically pushing a soldier identified as Corporal Ofosu, who was operating a camera. According to accounts, the soldier had inadvertently moved into the line of sight of the official live broadcast as the President was being filmed.

The video prompted swift and intense criticism online, with many Ghanaians questioning the appropriateness of the conduct and calling for accountability from senior government officials.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page hours after the ceremony, Mr. Dogbe acknowledged the incident and apologised directly to the soldier.

“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.

Mr. Dogbe extended his apology to other members of the security services, stating, “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.”

The statement suggests the action was a reaction to concerns over the live broadcast feed, though it has sparked a broader conversation about protocol and the treatment of military personnel at official functions.

The Office of the President has not issued an additional statement on the matter.