By Frank Amponsah
President Akufo-Addo has handed over forty (40) brand new jeeps, fourteen (14) Toyota Hilux pick-ups and six (6) Toyota hi-ace vans to the Ghana Armed Forces as part of Government’s retooling efforts of the nation’s security agencies.
The latest fleet of vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces is expected to augment their efforts aimed at securing the northern borders of the country from potential jihadist’s incursions from Ghana’s northern neighbor, Burkina Faso.
Addressing attendees of the commissioning ceremony held at Burma Camp yesterday, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensuring that the Military is assisted to perform her core function of securing the territorial integrity of Ghana.
“Today, I am here to present to you forty (40) brand new jeeps jade vehicles, six (6) Toyota high hi-ace mini buses, fourteen (14) Toyota Hilux pick-ups, which will help you contain the security threats posed by extremist groups operating along out Northern borders and also help you deal better with internal security challenges” Akufo-Addo said.
Housing for Troops
As part of his visit to Burma Camp and in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President Akufo-Addo, cut the sod for the commencement of work on the USD $24.8 million dollars housing project for the troops.
“Forty (40) half compound houses, will be built here at Burma Camp, ten (10) each at the Naval Base in Sekondi, the Airforce Base in Tamale, the fourth Infantry Battalion in Kumasi and the third Infantry Battalion in Sunyani. When completed, a total of three hundred and twenty (320) units will be added to the housing stock of the Armed Forces” President Akufo-Addo noted.
Army Headquarters
The Navy and the Airforce can boost of modern office accommodation for its headquarters staff except the Army. To correct this, a seven-story office complex is under construction for the Army. The President inspected the ongoing construction of the seven (7) storey Army headquarters office complex which he says is “progressing steadily”.
“This project is costing the taxpayer some Ghc 33 million cedis. Undoubtedly, it will boost the image and moral of the Army since the Airforce and Navy already have very beautiful headquarters and we cannot allow the Army to be left out” President Akufo-Addo emphasized.
Military Academy Infrastructure
The President during his brief visit also stopped by the Ghana Military Academy Infrastructure upgrade site. He indicated that, he was happy to note that “the project is progressed steadily since he cut the sod for its commencement on 3th July 2019”.
“The Cadet mess, the square and lecturer rooms are completed. The administration block is some 95% complete and the contractor is in the final stages of completing the external works. The 246 capacity Cadet hospital and the commander’s block are some 65% complete” the President said.
“I am also informed that the housing project which is an integral part of the facility forming the Military Academy upgrade project would see the Ghana Armed Forces adding 832 units of two-bedroom self-contain flats to its stock when completed” President Akufo-Addo added.
