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Claim: Numerous comments under a social media post claims that no law in Ghana makes it illegal for civilians to wear camouflage trousers.
Verdict: False! There is a law in Ghana that prohibits civilians from wearing military uniforms and equipment, including official military camouflage, although public enforcement and interpretation have often been inconsistent.
Full Text
A social media post by Benjamin Kesse (@Nana_kesse1) claims that no law in Ghana makes it illegal for civilians to wear camouflage trousers, adding that security officers can do no more than assault him, after which he would sue the state.
The claim has resurfaced amid recurring confrontations between civilians and security personnel over the wearing of camouflage clothing.
Clear public education is needed on what the law permits and what enforcement officers may and may not lawfully do.
DUBAWA verified whether Ghanaian law permits civilians to wear camouflage and the applicable enforcement procedures.
Verification
Ghana has a specific law governing the use of military uniforms and related items. Restriction on the Use of Military Uniforms and Equipment Decree, 1967 (NLCD 177). Under Section 1 of the decree:
“A person shall not wear or use any military uniform, equipment, accoutrements, or other material unless that person is a member of the Armed Forces, an authorised person, or permitted by law.”
While the law does not explicitly list “camouflage trousers,” camouflage is part of the standard military uniform and accoutrements, bringing it within the scope of the decree when it resembles or is intended to represent official military attire.
Penalties under the law
According to Section 4 of the NLCD 177, a person who contravenes the law:
- Commits an offence
- Is liable on summary conviction to:
- A fine not exceeding GHC500, or
- Imprisonment of up to one year, or
- Both
- A fine not exceeding GHC500, or
Prosecution, however, requires the consent of the Attorney-General.
The Ghana Armed Forces has on multiple occasions publicly warned civilians against wearing military-pattern uniforms, including camouflage.
- In October 2024, GAF cautioned that civilians found wearing unauthorised military uniforms or camouflage could be arrested and prosecuted under NLCD 177.
- GAF explained that such attire poses national security risks, including the risk of impersonation and criminal exploitation.
Reported enforcement cases
In documented cases, arrests linked to camouflage often involve impersonation or possession of full military regalia. In 2023, an Accra Circuit Court sentenced a civilian to three years’ imprisonment and a GH¢12,000 fine for impersonating a military officer while wearing a military uniform and related items. This indicates that enforcement is typically more severe when camouflage is associated with false military representation rather than with fashion alone.
Security analyst Dr Ishmael Norman clarified that security officers have no legal authority to assault civilians merely for wearing camouflage.
“There are clear security concerns with civilians possessing military-related uniforms, including impersonation and threats to public safety. However, any arrest must be done within the legal framework. No military officer has the right to manhandle or shoot a civilian simply for wearing camouflage,” he told DUBAWA.
Arrests must follow due process, and any excessive force may itself constitute a criminal offence.
This directly contradicts the norm that security personnel can lawfully “beat” a civilian for wearing camouflage.
Public debate
There has been public confusion around the issue. Some public officials have argued that Ghana does not criminalise fashion camouflage outright. However, the law focuses on military uniforms and accoutrements, not fashion intent, leaving room for discretionary enforcement.
This gap partly explains why civilians wearing camouflage trousers are sometimes questioned or arrested, even when not impersonating security officers.
Conclusion
The claim that “there is no law” making it illegal to wear camouflage in Ghana is false. Ghana’s NLCD 177 restricts civilians from wearing military uniforms or equipment, including official camouflage. Penalties exist, though prosecutions are rare and often linked to impersonation. Security officers cannot lawfully assault civilians, and any enforcement must follow due process.
