Armed forces receive 140 vehicles, 48 ​​more to come

President Nana Akufo-Addo presented 140 vehicles to Ghana's armed forces, in keeping with the promise made in October 2018 to the army.

The vehicles included 50 Ankai buses, 40 Toyota Landcruiser Hardbody vehicles and 50 Toyota Hilux vans.

The president also said that 48 additional vehicles, representing the second tranche of operational personnel and vehicles for the armed forces, will be presented soon.

The President announced Friday, Feb. 22 at an event held in the Burma camp, headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He emphasized that the presentation "is part of my Government's efforts to re-equip and equip the armed forces with the necessary logistical means to enable you to perform your task more efficiently and effectively".

President Akufo-Addo also commanded the new Commanders Mess, a project launched by the previous administration, completed and fully equipped under the current leadership of the Ministry and the High Military Command.

As commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the president told the officers: "Our vision of ensuring equitable distribution of development, progress and prosperity in all regions of the country can only be made possible by in a climate of peace and security. We are determined to continue along this path and to meet the needs of the armed forces. "

Durbar C-in-C

Speaking to a thousand officers, both men and women, at a meeting held at Burma Hall, President Akufo-Addo noted that his government remained faithful to its commitment to the Armed Forces of the United States. Ghana.

"One of my first acts as President has been to increase the contribution of United Nations peacekeepers from $ 30 to $ 35 per soldier per day. We have also eliminated arrears of $ 13 million for all peacekeepers and ensured that the contingents in the Gambia receive all their allowances, "he said. .

In addition, he told the meeting that the government had "settled the 11.1% of arrears due to civilian employees, as of January 2018, and had ensured a 10% salary revision by All the personnel".

President Akufo-Addo said that the completion of the 3rd phase of the military hospital 37 is the subject of all due attention, "and we also focus on the l 39; completion and commissioning of the 500-bed military hospital in the Ashanti region, this project soon. "

With regard to infrastructure, the president "continues the regeneration work of the barracks. The four blocks of 16 apartments each, for which I cut the turf during my last visit here, are completed between 60 and 75%. "

He added: "As I said yesterday, in my message to Parliament on the state of the country, we will provide the army with 30 Armored Otokar APCs and 6 patrol boats. fast for the navy. With regard to the Air Force, two of the M.I 17 helicopters were sent for review. One has come back and the other will be in the jurisdiction soon. "

"Funding has been made available to extend the flying hours of the third helicopter. Similarly, when we came to power, the three CASA C295 transport aircraft broke down. We settled one, and the other two were sent out of the country for refurbishment. One must return to the country in April and the other in October.

President Akufo-Addo reported that LI 1332, aimed at changing the length of service of men and women of other ranks in the Ghana Armed Forces from 25 to 30 years of age and that the badociated career progression plan, had been reviewed. adopted by Parliament and will be implemented this year as planned.

"This policy means that troops can continue to serve for up to 30 years, up from 25 years ago. However, you can apply for leave at any time, according to the procedure, "he added.

Before concluding, the president urged the armed forces to maintain their constitutionally guaranteed neutrality and professionalism.

"Governments have term limits, and in a multi-party democracy, parties win and lose power. It is good for the health of the nation to be so, and that is why the armed forces must not tie their welfare or other to the fortunes of the ruling party of the day. " , did he declare.

The president also called on the media to be cautious in their reporting on the military and refrain from giving political motives to purely professional matters.