By: Mercy Darko
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to equip the Ghana Armed Forces with the necessary logistics to keep the personnel abreast of changing trends and to execute their mandate without challenges.
He said the region is faced with terrorist attacks, as such the military needs maximum support to protect the country against any threat.
President Akufo-Addo made these remarks at the swearing-in of members of the Armed Forces Council at the Jubilee House in Accra.
The Armed Forces Council has the responsibility among other things to advise the President on matters of policy relating to defence and strategy, military budgeting and finance, administration and the promotion of officers above the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel or its equivalent.
The Armed Forces Council is chaired by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. The members are Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Derry, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Frank Hanson, Chief of Army Staff, Major. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu. The rest are Brig-Gen R.O. Sackey, President’s Nominees, Col. C.B. Ankomah-Danso and Master Warrant Officer, Daniel Addo, Senior Warrant Officer.
President Akufo-Addo in a remark, reminded the Armed Forces Council and for that matter the Ghana Armed Forces of the responsibility ahead of them, especially, protecting the country’s territorial borders, in the wake of threats of terrorism.
‘’When we reiterate that my government…..is determined within our means to give whatever support is required to ensure that we have armed forces that reign the best in the region and one of the best in the world. Ghanaians want armed forces that are professional, well-disciplined and respectful of the right celebrities. It is my expectation and hope that you’ll be up to it. You have my full support to undertake all the measures in response required to enable you to succeed’’, the President noted.
Vice President Bawumia thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and the opportunity to serve. He said there have been a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of the personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The continuing re-tooling and the re-equipping of the armed forces as well as the provision of the training needs have improved the operational efficiency of the Ghana Armed Forces. This is evident in the successful outcome of our security operations with regard to the various complexes both locally and internationally. We need to accomplish a few more important goals as a result of ongoing fares in the sub region. We should support the government to execute this laudable project as our key priority’’, the Vice President noted.
