Command of 66th Artillery Regiment changes

Ho, April 7, GNA - Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Wekem Kotia, outgoing Commander of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho has urged the military to remain neutral and support the country's fledgling democracy.

Lt-Col Kotia, who held command of the Regiment for the past three and half years, said the democratic dispensation of demanded that the military subject itself to democratic and civil control and be politically neutral in all tasks.

He made these remarks when he formally handed over the command baton to Lt-Col Abass Seidu at a colourful parade held at the Regiment on Tuesday.

Lt-Col Kotia has been posted as a Directing Staff to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. He observed that the credibility of the military had been boosted because of the neutral role played by the troops in the last general election.

"I therefore leave you with this advice, that all of you should exercise your tasks neutrally as professionals in the eyes of the population," he stated.

The Regiment presented a citation to the outgoing commander, praising his efforts at face-lifting the facility and raising the morale of the troops.

Among the projects undertaken under Lt-Col Kotia's command were a block of three classrooms for the nursery school at the barracks, an ICT Centre, including Internet Caf=E9.

The citation listed a 120-acre mango plantation, planting of 10,000 seedlings of teak, passion fruits and acacia trees and the refurbishment of a Medical Reception Station as some of Lt Col Kotia's initiatives.