Former CDS advises VAG to make profitable use of resources

The Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) has been asked to undertake commercial joint-ventures with credible business entities, to ensure profitable utilization of its landed-properties.

A former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (rtd.) Lawrence Aboagye Okai, who made the call, said the new Veteran law, Act 844 of 2012, seeks to revise the existing law NRCD285. He explained that it is to ensure that the Association did not depend solely on government for financial support but to initiate its own projects and programmes.

Lt. Gen. Okai, a former National Chairman of VAG, was speaking at anniversary parade at Myohaung Barracks at Apremdo on Wednesday, to commemorate the 68th Anniversary of the Battle of Myohaung. He stressed that the VAG’s landed-properties at Ho, Kumasi, Accra, Koforidua, Amasaman and other parts of the country could be invested profitably to better the lots of its members.

Lt. Gen. Okai commended successive governments for supporting the VAG with logistics money and said the passage of the Veterans Bill into law last year, would re-invigorate the Association.

He bestowed the heroism of the ex-service men who fought in the Second World War saying, “Of all the battles the Gold Coast Regiment fought side by side with the Allied forces, the battle of Myohaung, in the Faraway Jungles and Monsoon of Burma, are on record as the fiercest, including kaladan and Arakan”.

Lt Gen said the two West African Divisions acquitted themselves with distinction and that the qualities, heroism, discipline and patriotism displayed by troops from Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia won them the laurels that deserved to be celebrated annually.

The 150 men and women in uniform on parade displayed high level of fitness and agility amidst display of the beautiful colours of the Ghana Armed Forces with the Airforce Band providing melodious patriotic songs.

The event was attended by high profile personalities, including Lt. Col. (Rtd) Samuel Ofosu Appiah and National Chairman of VAG, Commodore (rtd.) Steve Obimpeh.

Other personalities were the Unit Commanders of Ghana Armed Forces: Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Timothy Samuel Appiah, Takoradi Airforce Commander, Air-commodore Maxwell Nagia and the Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. George K.T Sam as well as the members of Regional Security Council.