The Ministry of Defence has laid before Parliament, a 300-million-dollar loan facility to improve on operational competences of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The Sector Minister, who disclosed this emphasized that when approved, chunk of the facility would be Mark Owen Woyongo, used to procure modern logistics and equipment for peace keeping operations in Mali and Sudan.
He was addressing officers and civilian employees of the 3rd Battalion Garrison (3BN) at a durbar at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, as part of his working visits to various garrisons in the northern sector of the country.
Mr Woyongo admitted that though challenges at the various barracks such as inadequate accommodation seemed insurmountable, the ministry was doing all things possible to address those challenges.
He observed that modern security demanded effective communication gadgets and equipment and that the GAF ought to be furnished with such logistics to enable it to discharge the constitutional obligations with diligence and efficiency.
The Sector Minister said the ministry had also been able to secure GH¢50 million, and would soon pay off the more than 1,000 over-aged soldiers at the various garrisons.
Mr Woyongo stated that very soon works on the rehabilitation of roads, buildings and constructions of staff quarters at the various barracks would commence and asked the various Commanding Officers to find alternative means of generating funds locally to support it.
He reminded the GAF personnel that it was their duty to protect the 1992 constitution and advised them to continue to remain loyal to the state, the president, and the government.
Mr Woyongo said modalities had been completed to effect payments of all salary arrears for personnel and asked them to exercise patience.
The Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Owusu Dickson, Forces Sergeant Major of the GAF, admonished personnel to be disciplined and maintain the good image of the Forces.
He emphasized that the GAF was founded on discipline and for that matter it had set a standard both nationally and internationally, and that personnel had to cherish and maintain those standards.
The Forces Sergeant Major expressed concern that some of the GAF personnel had resorted to the use of social media as a means to addressing their grievances.
This situation, CWO Owusu noted, was gradually denting the image of the GAF, and warned the personnel to refrain from such acts.
Source: GNA