President presents vehicles to Armed Forces

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has handed over 84 assorted vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp, in Accra.

This is the second time in the year that the President had presented vehicles to the GAF as part of efforts by the government to equip the security agencies.

Among the vehicles are 33 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), 41 assorted Toyota vehicles, three water tankers, one self-loading recovery truck, a refrigeration van and five utility vehicles for waste management.

The President explained that the presentation was in fulfilment of a pledge he had made, saying, “I am here to redeem a pledge made to you at this year’s WASSA”.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the government had consistently kept faith with the needs of the Armed Forces and that “as your Commander-in-Chief, I am taking steps to ensure that your needs are met.”

The President said the government’s vision of ensuring equitable distribution of development, progress and prosperity to all parts of the country could only be made possible in an atmosphere of peace and security, adding that, “we’re determined to continue in this vein to meet the needs of the Armed Forces”.

Commendation

President Akufo-Addo commended personnel of the GAF for their outstanding performances, including recent joint security operations at Kwandugu, and an ongoing exercise, ‘Conquered First’, which he said, were intended to create a secure and a peaceful atmosphere at the North Western, Northern and North Eastern borders of the country.

In furtherance to that, he urged the GAF to continue to collaborate with the Ministers of National Security, the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority and all other relevant agencies to help secure the country’s borders to prevent it from possible attacks to derail the social and economic gains chalked up by the country so far.

“As an institution noted for its discipline, I need not emphasise that you pay particular attention to the maintenance of these vehicles and use them for the benefit of our country and its people,” the President further advised the GAF.

Initiatives

The Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, catalogued a number of initiatives the government had undertaken in the security sector since assuming office.

They included the reconstruction of an oxygen plant at the 37 Military Hospital, improved accommodation under a Barracks regeneration project, and the release of funds for the construction of a 16-unit flats, containing 64 housing units.

He said each of the northern, southern and western ends of Burma Camp would have its share of the flats.

For his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Obed Boamah Akwa, said the presentation of the vehicles was a demonstration of the commitment by the government towards addressing some of the critical needs of the GAF.

He promised to put the vehicles to proper use and also ensure strict adherence to its maintenance.