GAF to establish child rights protection unit

Accra, March 27, GNA- The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is to establish a child rights protection Unit under it to train its personnel about human rights issues affecting children and women.

Colonel Anane Brobbey, Director of Legal Services of the GAF who disclosed this on Friday said a memorandum of understanding has already been signed and awaiting approval from the Minister of Defence, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor.

Speaking at the launching of the 2003 Annual report and National Human Rights of the Ghana chapter of Amnesty International in Accra, Col. Brobbey said Federation of African Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, would coordinate the programme.

The 311 paged report among others, appealed for the abolition of the death penalty in law and in practice.

Col. Brobbey said soldiers who would be trained under the project would gain knowledge on human rights, especially, about child-soldiers "so that they can help protect their rights.

"This would also help ensure an end to the recruitment of child soldiers and for protection of children in armed conflicts" Col. Brobbey said the partnership between the military and Amnesty International was very cordial "because Military ensures discipline which is also about law and order, and the main focus of Amnesty".

He said the public's perception about the military, as the main abusers of human rights should be discarded "because we uphold such issues very high". He therefore called on the civilian counterparts to feel free and relate with the military to ensure peaceful co-existence.