Government will develop Ghana Armed Forces

Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, on Wednesday reiterated that it is the government's policy to develop a highly professional and politically neutral Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which would be subject to democratic control.

The government, he said, is committed to re-equipping the GAF within the constraints of the national economy, to make it an effective tool for national defence and development.

Mr Kufuor said this when he enumerated specific measures taken since assuming office at the first ever seminar organized for the media by the GAF at Burma Camp in Accra.

The seminar sought to address matters of special interest to the GAF and to foster healthy relations between the military and the media.

Dr Addo Kufuor said in accordance with government's broad policy framework to de-politicise the GAF, directives have been issued to ban membership of quasi-political organisations in all military garrisons to ensure the political neutrality of the military.

The organisations include the Association of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (ACDR), the 31st December Women's Movement and the Young Elephants.

He said to foster better civil-military relations, March six has been declared an Open Day to enable civilians interact with military personnel.

They could fly, sail and ride in military planes, vessels and armoured cars.

The Minister said one of his achievements is the institution of the Emergency Response Unit of the 37 Military Hospital following the May 9 Accra Sports Stadium disaster.

The Unit has 10 fully refurbished ambulances and two helicopters with a complement of over 900 cadets trained in emergency first aid delivery to assist it.

Another achievement, he said, is the launch of the Armed Forces agro-forestry project to check desertification, established at the Michel Camp at Tema and this would be extended to other regions.

The Minister said it was also his plan to ensure that both the 48 and 49 Engineer Regiments are given the first option in all contract bids as a cost saving measure to facilitate technology transfer and capacity building in the units.

The Minister said barracks accommodation would be rehabilitated soon, as part of a general welfare package for the troops.

He announced that plans were far advanced to rebuild the Burma Hall to serve the educational needs of troops and their families.

The Minister said to promote efficiency and proficiency in the military all activities of the various units would be computerised.

The seminar, under the theme: "Fostering good and sustainable relations between the media and military - the civil-military relations factor", was attended by a cross-section of the media, as well as the top brass, senior officers and men of the GAF.

It was also aimed at addressing issues on national security and the efforts the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command are making to ensure that the GAF play their role as defined by the constitution.