No tension in Military - Defence Ministry

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), on Monday described as false and malicious a publication by an Accra daily, Ghanaian Democrat, that there was tension in the military over the supply of clothing.

The Ministry said in a statement that the publication, headlined "Tension in Burma Camp", was an attempt to incite members of the Armed Forces against the government, adding' "The subject matter of this headline seeks to create the erroneous impression that there is mounting crisis in Burma Camp as a result of soldiers being denied clothing".

The statement signed by Lt. Col. E. W. K. Nibo, Director of Public Relations, explained that items such as 10,000 pairs of olive green uniforms, 5,800 pairs of combat boots and 1,200 ballistic helmets among several others were purchased for personnel of the Armed Forces in 2001.

Others were 5,000 pairs of camouflage uniforms, 1,200 pairs of socks, 2,000 combat jackets, 2,000 raincoats, 2,000 sleeping bags and 1,200 fragmentation jackets. It said troops serving with missions outside the country were also supplied not only with uniforms but also with other military gear to ensure their safety and comfort.

The statement said: "We wish to further inform the general public that even in our current economic situation Ghana Armed Forces have on order for this year 10,000 pairs of uniforms, 8,000 pairs of combat boots, 12,000 pairs of socks and 5,000 pairs of camouflage uniforms.

"We must indicate that this has been our routine for servicing of troops over the years and it is therefore very wrong to impute that for the past 15 months no supplies of uniforms have been made.

"It is unfortunate for the Democrat to quote an imaginary source in the MOD that peace keeping duties come once in a while and do not impact so much on their lives". The statement expressed the gratitude of the Armed Forces to the government for the recent increases in the peacekeeping operational allowances, which they had been asking for some years now.

On the allegation of politically motivated mass transfers in the army, the statement said postings within the Armed Forces was a normal practice dictated by operational and administrative agencies.

"It must be noted that postings and deployment of troops are the responsibility of service commanders," it said and added that at a time when the nation was confronted with problems such as armed robberies and other forms of armed conflict, commanders could deploy their troops as they see fit and a whole inter-battalion rotations could be undertaken when it became necessary.

The statement therefore advised media personnel to contact the Public Relations Directorate for clarification of such delicate and sensitive issues, and said sensational headlines only undermined the authority and discipline of the Ghana Armed Forces.