Prez Mahama inaugurates new hangar for Air Force
President John Dramani Mahama has hinted that plans are far advanced to establish a new flight training school in Tamale to serve as the training base for the West Africa sub-region.
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He did not give any further details.
Meanwhile, he said the government would, in June 2015, deliver a number of Z-9 helicopters procured from China to the Ghana Air Force.
President Mahama made these known at the inauguration of a hangar at the Air Force Base in Accra yesterday.
The hangar, the biggest at the Air Force Base, was constructed through a collaboration between Ghana and Brazil.
The construction came along with a number of vehicles and machinery to facilitate operations within the hangar.
It will serve as a resting place and servicing centre for aircraft and is named after a former Air Force Commander, Air Marshall John Asamoah Bruce.
Two existing hangars at the Air Force Base, which have been rehabilitated, were also named after two former commanders, in the persons of Air Vice Marshall J.E.A. Kotei and Air Vice Marshall John Odaate Barnor.
President Mahama described the construction of the hangar as a positive development in the Ghana Air Force and said other aircraft would also come through at various periods.
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On the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), he said the government would strengthen their training and equip them to boost their confidence and readiness to protect the country.
He recognised the critical role the military played in the security and overall development of the country and said that had motivated the government to spend judiciously to raise its morale and capabilities.
Ghana-Brazil relations
Taking a look at relations between Ghana and Brazil, President Mahama said they had a long history which kept growing by the day.
Brazil is currently supporting a number of development projects in the country, notable among them being the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and the Tamale International Airport.
President Mahama commended the Brazilian government for showing immense interest in Ghana's development.
The President urged the GAF to continue to show dedication and hard work, which had been their hallmark.
Defence Minister
For his part, the Minister of Defence, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, said the government's plan to revamp the GAF was no fluke.
He said every single project and programme would be carried through to the letter.
The Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Irene Gala, expressed delight at the strong relations between the Air forces of Brazil and Ghana.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Sampson Oje, expressed appreciation for the continued support his outfit was receiving from the government and its development partners.