Chinese-funded Ministry of Defence complex opened

Accra, Dec. 4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday urged both the Ministry of Public Sector Reform and the Head of Civil Service to develop the capacity of more civil and public servants to provide some of the specialized services required by the military.

He thus challenged the country's universities and management development institutions to develop courses in security and allied fields to help build the capacity of both military and civilian personnel to respond to present and emerging challenges. President Kufuor made the call when he commissioned the new multi-million dollar Chinese-funded Ministry of Defence complex in Accra.

Built at the cost of 6.75 million dollars, of which Ghana government provided 1.75 million dollars, the 120-room grey four-storey edifice would accommodate the Ministry of Defence, the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and senior officials of the Ministry.

The complex, built by the Chinese Qingdao Construction Group, together with their Ghanaian counterparts, also contains an office for the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). President Kufuor commended the military for the professional manner the service had held itself that had contributed in no small measure to the peace and security and steady development, which the whole nation was enjoying.

He thanked the military for working effectively with government to protect the sovereignty of the nation during his two terms in office, adding that by sticking to their mandated role, the forces enabled governance of the nation to proceed in accordance with the Constitution. "The nation is happy that the forces have rediscovered their raison d'=EAtre and stuck to their mandate, as enshrined in the national constitution."

President Kufuor thus urged the military not to disappoint Ghanaians and the many people worldwide who held the institution in high esteem, as they would be called up alongside other security agencies to keep law and other and protect the security of the nation as the country went to the polls on Sunday.

"The entire society expects nothing short of professionalism and impartiality at all times," he said.

President Kufuor extended the appreciation of the government and people of Ghana to the Chinese government for the facility and expressed the hope that the friendship between both countries would continue to grow to their mutual benefit.

China's Ambassador to Ghana, Yu Wenzhe, extolled the long-standing relations between both countries and pledged his country's continued cooperation to deepen the bond of friendship with Ghana. He expressed the hope that the elections would be free, fair and peaceful, saying, "I hope and I am confident that Ghana will show the world once again her maturity of democracy and maintenance of peace and stability."