Vice-President Dr. Bawumia
The Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has admonished the leadership of Ghana’s military to intensify education of young officers on the proper use of social media and its negative side effects.
“I urge both senior and junior leadership in the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces to continuously and consistently intensify awareness and education of the young officers and sailors you command on the proper use of social media, as well as its negative side effects,” he stressed.
Speaking at a parade by the Ghana Navy at the Sekondi Naval Base on Friday as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Navy, the Vice-President said the negative effects of social media had to do with its potential for spreading false news, propaganda and fear which could undermine organizational, societal and national cohesion and stability.
He said it was unfortunate that some Ghanaians, including officers of the law, had unwittingly been dragged into its use for negative purposes.
“As disciplined officers and ratings, soldiers should not allow themselves to be drawn into such category of social media users,” he said.
“I also urge all soldiers to be mindful of and circumspect in the use of social media in a manner that is inconsistent with, or in breach of the Code of Service Discipline,” he added.
He said “Ghanaians celebrate your (military) dedication and professionalism in performing your core naval functions,” and added that the Ghana Navy had not only demonstrated naval excellence but also contributed significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.
“The Ghana Navy had effectively maintained and secured the country’s maritime domain which had spurred on vigorous socio-economic activities at sea, including the country’s successful offshore oil and gas exploration,” he added.
Challenges
The Vice-President said government was aware of the various challenges faced by the Navy, prominent among them being the lack of adequate accommodation for both officers and ratings, as well as the poor technical state of ships.
“I can assure you that plans are underway by government to put up both residential and office accommodation for the Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces as a whole,” he said, adding “government is making frantic efforts to adequately address the technical challenges faced by the ships to improve their operational readiness and capability.”
The Vice-President disclosed that very soon he would cut the sod for the commencement of the construction of a Forward Operating Base at Ezilinbo in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
Besides, he revealed that they were planning to acquire two Offshore Patrol Vessels with helicopter decks to improve the operational capability of the Navy.
The 60th anniversary of the Ghana Navy is on the theme: “Celebrating Sixty Years of Naval Excellence: Securing the Maritime Domain for National Development”.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi