Prepare for terrorist attack; Mahama charges army

President John Mahama has charged the Ghana Armed Forces to equip themselves with the necessary training concerning terrorist attacks.

Speaking at the West African Soldiers Social Activities on Friday, the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said: “We must, therefore, prepare and train for any such eventuality,” adding: “Caustic situations, bombings, attacks on shopping malls etc. etc. are things that we must prepare for.”

Mr Mahama’s charge to the Military comes on the heels of recent regional attacks by Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and lately Chad.

The anti-Western education group, which has, since its formation in 2002, restricted its activities to the north-eastern part of Africa’s most populous nation, is now stretching its tentacles beyond Nigeria, thus posing a threat to the entire sub-Region.

Mr Mahama, recently rallied ECOWAS and the African Union to commit forces towards fighting Boko Haram concertedly.

The President said his Government would resource the army to be able to play its anti-terrorist role effectively, as well as strengthen its peacekeeping role within the United Nations.

Towards that end, a $300-million fund has been secured to procure modern military hardware including: Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), tanks, operational vehicles, helicopters and other aircraft.

Apart from that Z-9 helicopters from China will soon be delivered to the army. The Government of China has also, already assisted in training some naval officers of the Ghana Army.