The Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, and his military chiefs yesterday denied that there are moves by the Ghana Armed Forces or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to create an elite fighting force to replace the 64th Regiment Battalion put in place by ex-President Rawlings at the onset of the 31st December, 1981 coup d'etat.

They also denied the existence of any military training camp anywhere in Ghana where a select group of soldiers have been training to protect the President.

At a charged press conference held at Burma Camp yesterday, Dr. Addo Kufuor, while conceding the rights of journalists to inform and educate the public, also pointed out that the Ghana Armed Forces has its own plans and programmes it had drawn up as an institution and which they are obliged to carry out in the interest of national security.

"I respect your right to know and inform the public but sensitive information will not go out from here to cause anxiety to the general public and the investment community."

The Defence chiefs admitted that there are military exercises going on at the Shai Hills, but stated that they have nothing to do with the creation of any elite force for any military purpose, explaining that the exercises were normal part of the Armed Forces schedule aimed at sharpening skills of individual soldiers at basic level and would ultimately involve every member of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He further stated that the 64th Regiment is firmly under the control and direction of the Armed Forces Command and the Ministry of Defence.

"The unit is located in Gondar Barracks but it is also under strict supervision by the military authorities.

There are no hidden caches of arms any where with the potential capabilities to destabilize the nation," the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) assured reporters.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General. Seth. K. Obeng, reminded media personnel that both the Armed Forces and the media owe it a duty to Ghanaians to help nurture our young democracy and ensure the stability of the nation through responsible practice of their various professions.