"Military will defend territorial integrity"

THE General Officer Commanding the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier George Aryiku, has given the assurance that the military is well placed to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

He said security has been tightened on the Ghana-Cote d' Ivoire border to prevent any spill over of the rebel activities in that country and infiltration of insurgents into Ghana.

Brigadier Aryiku gave the assurance when he interacted with newsmen after the annual end- of- year get-together (Wassa) organised for the officers and men of the headquarters of the Northern Command and their families in Kumasi at the weekend.

He announced that Ghanaian contingents to the peacekeeping operations in Cote d' Ivoire are in camp and will soon be flown into that country to begin their duties. Brigadier Aryiku commended Ghanaian soldiers for their exemplary performance in peacekeeping operations and urged them to maintain it at all times.

He also commended the media for ensuring good relationship with the military throughout the year and urged journalists to support the government in its developmental policies to create wealth for Ghanaians.Brigadier Aryiku said the time has come for Ghanaians to shift from the poverty alleviation concept to wealth creation to ensure economic prosperity in the country.

Major Francis Ogbey, Commanding Officer in-charge of Headquarters Command Camp, said the Wassa served as a stock-taking, performance-appraisal and re-union exercise for the soldiers and their families.He said through the high sense of discipline, the unit has achieved enviable successes in its operations, both at home and abroad.

Major Ogbey said the unit also engaged in farming activities, adding that the unit has embarked on a four-acre citrus cultivation at Afari, near Nkawie in Ashanti, and 10 beehives, which are ready for harvesting.

He expressed concern about the deplorable nature of the road leading to the headquarters from the main Sunyani road and called for its rehabilitation.