GAF to change defence posture

Accra, July 15, GNA - The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will in the next couple of years review its defence posture, shifting a significant proportion of its resources, both material and human, to confront new challenges, trends and threats, especially with the discovery of oil. Consequently, the Ministry of Defence is in the process of implementing a new reform programme as part of efforts to service a new and better Ghana that will make it possible to deliver improved services, with greater efficiency, effectiveness, and enhanced accountability to Parliament and civil society.

"Our goal is to offer prospects for improved integration of defence into the national development agenda," said Lieutenant General Joseph Smith (RTD), Minister of Defence, on Tuesday when addressing the Parliament Select Committee on Defence and Interior that paid a day's working visit to the Ministry at Burma Camp in Accra. "We are seriously preparing the country to re-organise its defence posture to confront newer challenges that come with economic development, oil wealth and demobilisation in war zones of the sub-region," he said.

"But we need the encouragement of parliament because our task is great."

Citing Nigeria as an example, Lt. Gen. Smith said nearly one-tenth of that country's annual oil production is lost every year through theft and smuggling.

He said to prevent that situation in Ghana, government needed to adequately equip the GAF for it to hone its defence systems to protect the country's oil production, adding "we need to invest to protect our wealth for ourselves and our children". The Minister said currently, the capacity and equipment of the GAF were stretched thin over several operational theatres, but the ministry expected recapitalisation to acquire modern defence platforms and improve its equipment level and human capacity in furtherance of this new defence posture.

"The scope continues to expand as we develop and we need to keep pace with that expansion. But with your support we are encouraged to work at achieving our goals," he told the legislators. "Defence is a shared responsibility for us and we are in it together."

The Parliamentarians later took a tour of selected facilities and installations of the GAF, where they were briefed on the challenges of those units.

Alhaji Abubakar Sumani, MP for Tamale North and Chairman of the Committee, said they would bring to government's attention the requirements and needs of the armed forces, saying "we would stand by this Ministry to ensure that it succeeds in its goals and future endeavours."