Upper East minister requests for Military Barracks

Alhaji Limuna Mohammed–Muniru, Upper East Regional Minister, has appealed to the Military High Command to establish a military barracks in the region to complement the efforts of the police to maintain order.

The regional minister made the appeal when the Chief of Defense Staff, Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie paid a courtesy call on him in Bolgatanga on Thursday to brief him on his visit to the Bazua temporary barracks near Bawku to assess the situation there.

Alhaji Mohammed–Muniru stated that anytime the region was in a critical situation, it had to fall on the Military Barracks in Tamale in the Northern Region for military reinforcement which, he noted, caused lots of inconveniences and delays.

He indicated that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had earmarked a place at Tono and the District Assemblies had agreed to contribute towards the rehabilitation of the structures and entreated the military high command to visit the area to assess it.

He further appealed to the High Command to support the military detachment in Bawku with logistics, particularly vehicles, adding that currently it was the RCC that was supporting them with a vehicle which was not strong enough to engage in military operations.

The Regional Minister expressed happiness about the good military-police relations in Bawku and said this had contributed significantly to the maintenance of peace and order in the area.

On the current security situation, the Minister indicated that the region was very peaceful and that recently the Police undertook an exercise to seize unlicensed motorbikes and vehicles some of which were used by criminals for armed robbery activities.

“The exercise has helped reduce the crime wave in the Regional capital and its environs. The police must be commended for that. We also undertook a simulation exercise on how to deal with fire outbreaks in the markets. The Ghana Fire Service is also sensitizing market women to avoid engaging in activities that will cause fire outbreaks.”

The Chief of Defense Staff assured the Regional Minister that his demand would be granted and that plans were underway to establish a military barracks as well as a regiment in the region, and said the Bazua Camp was just the beginning of good things to come.

“The Northern Command will follow up to assess the place you have earmarked for the barracks and the necessary things done. If found suitable it will be established there”, he stressed.

The CDS commended the Upper East Regional Security Council for complimenting the efforts of the security agencies to maintain peace in the region and stressed the need for the consolidation of the existing military, police, and civilian relations in the area.