Soldiers clean up Ho and Hohoe Hospitals

Eighty officers and men of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho, on Wednesday cleaned up the Ho and Hohoe Government Hospitals to commemorate the Regiment's 37th Anniversary.

The soldiers formed two groups of 40 each and supported by their wives, weeded the compounds, de-silted gutters, removed cobwebs and swept the wards and premises of the hospitals.

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Yanyi-Akorful, Commanding Officer of the Regiment, said the day, dubbed "Gunners Day", is marked every year with activities to strengthen military/civilian relations and also whip up the spirit of the soldiers.

He said when soldiers were made to interact with civilians through such activities "it reminds them that they are not an island on their own."

Lt-Col Yanyi-Akorful said a good bond between the military and civilians negated any tendency for soldiers to vent brutalities on civilians at the least provocation.

He said the exercise would be extended to other parts of the region depending on resources available to the Regiment.

Captain William Dagbe, who led the detachment that was at the Ho Hospital, said the Regiment was formed on April 16, 1966, as a Medium Mortar Regiment but was elevated to full Artillery Regiment in October last year.