Dominic Nitiwul (right), Lt General Obed Akwa (middle) and others
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Lt General Obed Akwa, has cautioned military personnel of the 2 Garrison Unit in the Western Region to maintain the army’s strong tradition of discipline. They should also be the embodiments of professionalism, if they want to excel in their career.
It would be recalled that three soldiers from the Takoradi Air Force Base were arrested by the police for allegedly robbing some people of gold and cash in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality of the region.
The suspects’ names were given as Oliviete Solomon, Agantwuo Agana Joseph and Osei Abraham.
Addressing an all-ranks durbar organized by the GAF at the Air Force Base on Wednesday, Lt General Obed Akwa entreated, “I plead with you and demand from you absolute discipline – from the last airman, ratings or soldiers to the highest ranking officer in this garrison.”
He continued, “Effective today, I don’t want to hear any case of indiscipline from this region or garrison; and I don’t want to receive any negative reports coming from this region. All that we want to hear is good report so that we all can make the GAF better than we came to meet it.”
The CDS was among the entourage of the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, who was in the Western Region for a two-day working visit, during which he toured the barracks and other facilities of the 2 Garrison and later interacted with them.
The 2 Garrison comprises the Western Naval Command at Sekondi, the Second Battalion of Infantry at Apremdo and the Ghana Air Force at Takoradi.
Armed Forces Bank
He told the soldiers that the Ghana Armed Forces would by the end of 2017 commence the operation of its own Bank.
“The process began some few years back but stalled because of lack of clarity on the management structure of the Bank,” he indicated.
“As at now, we are satisfied and at the next Armed Forces Council meeting we are going to send our report and when the green light is given, the bank will start operation,” he added.
Needs Approved
Addressing the soldiers earlier, MrDominic Nitiwul told the soldiers that their short term needs presented to his outfit, including guns, weapons for training and airplanes among others, had been approved by cabinet and that money for their acquisition would appear in the next budget.
He praised the soldiers for exhibiting professionalism in the discharge of their duties both at home and on missions abroad.
The minister gave the assurance that government would increase the numerical strength of the Ghana Armed Forces and continue to provide the needed up-to-date logistics to enhance their performance.
He indicated that as part of the government’s barracks regeneration programme, the construction of four sixteen-unit accommodation at Burma Camp in Accra, had begun.
Mr Nitiwul also revealed that the government had released an amount of GH¢23 million to help complete the SSNIT housing project, which was started in 2007 but abandoned.
He bemoaned the fact that most lands belonging to the GAF in the Western Region had been encroached upon and encouraged the military to show a bit of muscle in protecting their lands and be supported by the government.
Buses
The defence minister disclosed that the government was in the process of acquiring about 30 to 50 air-conditioned buses for all the garrisons in the country, particularly for use when soldiers are attending various social events.
Civilian Employees
Mr Nitiwul assured the civilian employees at the various garrisons that their request of 11 per cent increase in their salaries would be granted as part of measures to ensure their improved living standards.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi