The illegal use of military-styled gears and accoutrements in Kumasi and its environs are increasingly becoming a source of worry.
An observation conducted by The Chronicle during the last one month has established that these security breaches can be seen at every nook and cranny in the city, which is inundated by police visibility personnel during the day.
If this development is anything to go by, misguided elements in society could use these to foment trouble.
These accoutrements, which range from shirts, jackets, trousers, shorts, cap(s), and T-shirt among others, are worn by civilians, including women.
It is instructive to state that some of these people wear these apparels as a sign of gangster or thug lifestyle.
In a working visit to the congested Central Business District (CBD) of Kumasi, this reporter observed that these military paraphernalia were largely sold by dealers of second hand clothing, with a myriad of military trousers and shorts fully displayed for sale.
When The Chronicle attempted to inquire about the price of a military pair of shorts, a man who specifically deals in military accoutrement quoted GH¢50.00 and GH¢40.00.
A female second hand clothes dealer also quoted GH¢85.00 when The Chronicle inquired from her about the cost of a pair of military trousers.
In a telephone interaction with Mr. Michael Amponsah, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Second Hand Dealers Association, he indicated that they were unaware of the military accoutrements being sold as second hand clothing.
Mr. Amponsah, however, told this reporter that the Association was going to investigate as to how military accoutrements had ended up in the hands of civilians.
According to him, per their rules and regulations, their members were not supposed to sell these types of clothes.
Michael Amponsah said: “We have directed our members not to display military accoutrements to their prospective buyers; the military officers sometimes walk up to us and ask for such clothes, and we sell it to them.”
In an enquiry with the head of Public Affairs at the Military High Command, Major M.M. Asola-Fadola, he disclosed that the Command was aware of this development.
According to Major Asola-Fadola, owing to this challenge, they issued a statement twice last year, urging the public to desist from wearing military accoutrements.
The Military PRO indicated that the Command would take on this development, which The Chronicle had communicated to him.
