GAF female officers urged to serve as catalysts for change

Female Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have been urged to serve as catalysts for change to help uplift falling standards in their profession.

Major-General B. G. Saagbul, GAF Chief of Staff said the Military High Command highly appreciates and recognizes the vital roles female SNCOs play in diverse ways to uplift the enviable reputation of their noble profession, both at home and on external operations, even with all the constraints.

He said primarily, the core of the Armed Forces rests on the fighting units; however, the fighting units cannot function effectively in performing their tasks without the auxiliary, adding that it is worth noting that a good majority of their females are in this category.

Maj-Gen Saagbul made the call at Burma Camp in Accra during the opening ceremony of a five-day Convention for female SNCOs on the theme: “The Role of Female SNCOs in Enhancing Professionalism and Discipline.”

He said considering the standards of professionalism and discipline in the GAF, which are the tenets of the Armed Forces; there is room for improvement, especially in this contemporary age.

The Chief of Staff said military discipline is a set of ethos which is sub-divided into ethics, codes, standards and traditions; declaring that when these are learnt in their right proportions, it translates the soldier’s conduct into honour and good morals.

He said among the desired expectations, the Convention is to equip participants with the knowledge to be able to determine some of the cause and remedies for some falling standards in the GAF.

Maj-Gen Saagbul said as female participants, they would individually and collectively in their homes, creates security awareness, fight substance abuse, and ensure societal change, starting from their barracks and to the domain of the civil populace.

He said the Service deems the participants a unique group to propagate the vision based on ethics and shared values for which they are noted for.

The on-going Convention has attracted over 60 participants, and it is aimed at bringing together, the female SNCOs of the three Forces – the Army, Navy and Air Force. He also emphasized on military standards.

Activities for the programme include lecture on health, legal, religious, education and public relations.