The Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned a number of projects for the Ghana Armed Forces at the Burma Camp. They consist of accommodation facilities, a hospital and a pool of vehicles.
Aside from commissioning and handing over these facilities to the GAF, President Akufo-Addo also cut the sod for three new projects.
They are 2,000 housing units for the Ghana Navy across all garrisons, a general administration block and a wall around all lands of the GAF.
President Akufo-Addo spent his whole day yesterday with the soldiers, visiting various barracks within Burma Camp.
GONDAR BARRACKS
The President recalled that when he was at Burma Camp to hand over some vehicles to GAF in 2019 and 2021, he promised them that more would follow, and yesterday was a fulfilment of that promise.
He commissioned and presented to the GAF 70 Carmas utility vehicles, 20 BTR, 70 armoured personnel carriers, 20 Husky armoured vehicles, 65 assorted Toyota vehicles and a number of communication equipment.
“I have no doubt that these vehicles and equipment will go a long way to help the GAF contain the security threat from violent extremists and terrorist groups operating along our northern borders, other internal security challenges, as well as support external peacekeeping operations,” he said.
GAF UNDER AKUFO-ADDO
The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, indicated in his address that the GAF continues to benefit from the Akufo-Addo government through various interventions to retool and re-equip the force to carry out its mandate amidst threats of aggression.
According to him, combating these threats required real-time surveillance capability, high mobility, force protection and communication “and this is exactly what you and the government have been doing for the GAF.”He assured the president that vehicles and equipment would be properly maintained.
DEPLOYMENT
The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, told the gathering that these vehicles are to be deployed as part of the northern border project.
The project is an effort to maintain peace and security along the northern borders.
He stated that a quantity of 20 husky vehicles out of the 70 procured has so far been delivered, and the remainder would arrive soon.
He continued that, as part of the government’s efforts to resource the Ghanaian battalion in the United Nations Security Force, the 20 BTR armoured personnel carriers and the 70 carmas utility vehicles have been procured.Some vehicles, he remarked, would be deployed to support security in Bawku.
AIR FORCE BASE
At the Air Force Base, President Akufo-Addo took custody of the 100-bed United Nations Field Hospital, an emergency response centre.
GOVT DEEMED NECESSARY
In a few remarks, President Akufo-Addo said in line with the government’s policy to ensure satisfactory access to healthcare for all, the government deemed it necessary to make arrangements with the UN for the acquisition of the facility.
“This facility is playing such an outstanding part in the nation’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I express, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, our sincere appreciation to the UN and to the WHO for their confidence in our country that enabled them to situate this facility in Ghana.”
The president is expecting that the GAF put the facility to proper use, not only for Ghanaians but also for patients from outside the country.
COMPONENTS
The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, said the facility consists of fully equipped intensive and critical care units, a fully equipped laboratory, laundry, an oxygen plant, two ambulances, and an emergency power system, among others.
ARMED FORCES HEADQUARTERS
At the GAF general headquarters in Burma Camp, President Akufo-Addo commissioned the newly constructed, three-story office complex for the Chief of Defence Staff.
The new building is at the same spot as the previous ministry of defence, where the CDS, the Chief of Staff, also worked.
DETAILS
In his address, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the new structure that has replaced the old one consists of 50 office spaces on three levels, conference rooms, meeting rooms, and coffee rooms, among others.
He said the building is fitted with state-of-the-art furnishings, adding that “this is indeed befitting for the CDS and his staff.”
He commended the immediate past CDS, LT Gen. Obed Boamah Akwa and the current CDS, Vice Admiral Seth Amoamah for their foresight.
DEFENCE MINISTER
The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, said that the initial arrangements signed in 2016 were for a two-storey building, but upon revisiting the deal with the contractor, Gold Key Development Limited, the agreement was varied to have three floors.
He said variations were made, and agreements were signed in 2019 for the office complex under a public-private agreement.
The General Manager of Gold Key Development Limited, Fuseina Abu, said the company was proud to work with the GAF, describing it as “a wonderful and fulfilling journey.”
WASSA
The President ended his long day with the soldiers at their end-of-year WASSA games, where men and women of the GAF wined and dined together after a hectic year of service.
President Akufo-Addo used the occasion to express the gratitude of the nation to the soldiers for risking their lives to protect the country.
He said the joint patrol with the Ghana Police Service and other interventions by the GAF have improved the maintenance of peace and security the nation enjoys.
The president said he has tasked the ministry of defence and the Military High Command with beginning the process of establishing a war college in Ghana this year, and the GETFund has also been tasked with providing the seed money.
As part of the government’s efforts to tackle the accommodation menace of the GAF, the president earlier in the day commissioned a 300-bed facility for young soldiers at the 37 Military Hospitals, sponsored by the Jospong Group of Companies, and later cut sod for the construction of 2,000 housing units for the Navy.
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