Armed Forces has new 80,000 euros training facility

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - An 80,000 Euro training facility funded by the German Government was on Wednesday inaugurated at Burma Camp in Accra to build capacity and enhance professionalism, particularly in mechanical transport, in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The project, undertaken under the Ghana-German Military Co-operation Agreement, included the refurbishment of the Armed Forces Mechanical Transport School (AFMTS) with the provision of four classrooms, five offices, including ablution points, a maintenance hall, driving simulators, as well as tarring of the AFMTS compound.

Mr Peter Linder, German Ambassador in Ghana, who presented the keys to the refurbished facility to Ministry of Defence, said the gesture, which had become regular highlights between both countries, was a clear sign of the excellent state of affairs between them. He said Germany would continue to support the AFMTS in future with qualified personnel and financial means for the conduct of courses. Mr Linder said that from a plan to provide training devices to the AFMTS in 2006, a cross-country driving terrain would also be constructed to sharpen the skills of drivers in the Armed Forces.

The AFMTS would be receiving two Mercedes Benz trucks from Germany in March next year. He said a well-equipped medical reception centre and an army recruit training school would be constructed between 2006 and 2008. The Ambassador said all the facilities, including the refurbishment of the AFMTS, would have a value of more than half a million Euros. Mr William Ofori Boafo, Deputy Minister of Defence, who received the keys, said the GAF had benefited immensely from bilateral cooperation between both countries and expressed gratitude to the German Government for the support. The German Embassy also handed over the keys to a Mitsubishi Pajero and a pick-up truck to be used by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre for administrative duties.