Ghana Armed Forces hold open day

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Thursday organised its annual open day for the general public around military installations and at all garrisons across the country.

The event was part of activities to mark the 56th independence anniversary celebration.

The programme attended by school children and students from basic and second cycle schools and the general public, was aimed at offering them the opportunity to interact with the military to enable them to have an insight into their roles to help promote civil and military relations.

The occasion was also used by the military to interact with the community and also to let the public have a feel of military life and its infrastructure in the barracks.

The students were given an air experience by personnel of the Ghana Air Force, chauffeured in armoured cars, toured the 48 Engineer Regiment and the Military Academy and Training School for briefing on the operations of the unit.

The soldiers treated the gathering to foot and arms drill, display of some basic weapons and amusement shootings.

Lieutenant Commander Michael Addo Larbi, Acting Director General for Information and Press Relations of GAF, briefing the media said the military's role is to defend the country against internal and external aggression and to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the country.

He said other functions included assisting the UN in Peace Keeping operations, engaging in tree planting exercises, construction of roads, rehabilitation of projects as well as participating in disaster management.

Lt Commander Larbi said the exercise would go a long way to enhance civil-military co-operation.

Some of the students the Ghana News Agency spoke with were grateful for the exercise saying it had given them an insight into the operations of the Ghana Armed Forces and urged the authorities to organise it frequently.