Government to pursue housing scheme for military – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday said that government would pursue an aggressive housing programme for military personnel to make them more comfortable at the barracks.
He said government would also re-equip the personnel to enable them to execute their duties professionally within the country and beyond.
President Mahama gave the promise at his last meeting (of the government’s first tenure) with the Armed Forces Council in his capacity as the chairman of the council.
The president also swore-in Real Admiral (rtd) Jonathan Yanful Adoko as a member of the Armed Forces Council.
President Mahama said housing for the military had become crucial on account of the increasing demand for Ghanaian service personnel in international peacekeeping programmes, and said that the housing project would be carried out throughout the country.
On re-equipping the military, he said government had already procured aircraft for the Airforce, vessels for the Navy, Construction Machines for the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Army and parachuting machines for the Airborne Force.
He commended the military command for deploying men before, during and after the election, to ensure peaceful and successful polls.
Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith, Minister for Defence, said government would mechanize the Infantry Unit of the Military by providing them with vehicles and all the necessary logistics, to enable them to operate professionally.
He said government would also establish a new Regiment in Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region and construct more hangars in Tamale and Accra.
The Minister gave the assurance that government would also procure 105mm guns for the military artillery, horses for the Recce Regiment and communication equipment for the Signal Regiment of the Military.
He commended government for passing the Veterans Administration, Ghana 2012 Act 844, which he said would make all veterans, who were honourably released from the Gold Coast Regiment and the Royal West African Frontier Force of the Ghana Armed Forces automatic members.
Source: GNA