Junior Sierra Leonean Officers pass out

Accra July 11, GNA - Junior Sierra Leonean Military personnel have been urged to be apostles of good civil-military relations to move their country forward in mutual trust and recognition.

This would largely contribute to change the negative perception held by the society about the military and also strengthen civilian-military ties, Mr. Joseph Akudibillah Kojo, Deputy Minister for Defence said on Monday.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the graduation of the Fourth Special Staff Course for 29 Sierra Leonean Officers.

The course, which was organized by the Ghana Armed Forces with funding from the British Government, aimed at training the selected officers to develop their leadership and communication skills and to manage the lower ranks aspects of the defence of Sierra Leone. Mr Akudibillah asked the officers to be true ambassadors of peace and stability to facilitate the development in their country. "You can only be true ambassadors if you portrayed yourselves as true military professionals in all your endeavours", he said. Colonel E. C. Quist, Assistant Commandant of the Ghana Armed Forces and Staff College, said all the 29 officers passed out successfully and also acquired a level of understanding in good governance and the rule of law.

He called on the personnel to use the knowledge acquired to rebuild their country and foster the need for positive civil-military relations and related issues in Sierra Leone.