GAF Test Alertness

More than 250 armed soldiers went through some streets of Accra yesterday in military vehicles in an exercise to test their vigilance as two busy weeks of guarding the African Union attendees winds to a close. They were supported by an Air Force helicopter.

In this convoy movement to test the systems and their own readiness, the soldiers organised a multi-procession flag march with one party going through the main streets of Accra and the other moving through Tema and Madina.

Police motorcycles closed roads, and traffic came to a halt while the procession passed. People lined the sidewalks, some cheering on the soldiers and others wondering what they were doing.

The soldiers were enacting an impromptu drill as commanders contacted them only hours earlier and told them they had about two hours to report to duty.

"The message is that we remain vigilant and that we stand for democracy in our country," said Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okyere, the General Commanding Officer of the Southern Command.

Brigadier-General Okyere said that the idea for this test was to push the soldiers and instil awareness in them.

While Ghana has an established democracy, Okyere said that the fight for democracy must continue.

"Freedom is a very expensive thing," he said. "Once you get it, you have to consolidate and maintain it."

In order to maintain the current democratic system, the military personnel plan and rehearse contingency plans often. They hold flag marches about six times a year.

"What you want all the time is a credible force that remains proactive," Brigadier-General Okyere said.

The armed forces weren’t in the drill alone. A number of other security forces held their own events throughout the day.

"This nation enjoys peace," Brigadier-General Okyere said. "But it doesn’t happen by chance. We have to work for it."