Members of the Ghana Armed Forces have been reminded of their constitutional duty to remain loyal to the state and not to allow anyone or group of persons to deceive them.
Addressing troops from the Defence Signal Regiment, Signal Training School and the Armed Forces Printing Press at Burma Camp, on Thursday the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. General Seth Obeng (in picture with Kofi Annan), deplored military involvement in partisan politics, saying the practice would compromise the neutrality and loyalty of the Armed Forces.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate of the Armed Forces in Accra, said the CDS was on a routine visit to the units to inspect installations and equipment to assess their efficiency.
He said the acquisition of vessels for the Navy, establishment of Rapid Response Units in all Garrisons, increment in UN allowances and the rehabilitation of some barracks were indications of the government's sensitivity to their needs and welfare.
Members of the Armed Forces should reciprocate the gesture by rededicating themselves to defend the constitution at all times, the CDS said. Lt. Gen Obeng noted that much as strides had been made in military-civilian relations, soldiers should see civilians as their "kin and kith" from whom they had emerged and would return one day and to desist from intimidating them.
He reminded military personnel of regulations making it mandatory for them to go on pension after 25 years of service and urged them to make judicious use of their allowances on UN missions by investing in housing to avoid accommodation difficulties while on retirement.
The CDS accompanied by Staff Officers and the Forces Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer James Cole expressed gratitude to those due for retirement after many years of service and wished them well.
