Takoradi Feb. 7, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, on Monday said security agencies, particularly the Armed Forces are expected to be politically neutral.

He was addressing a durbar of officers and men of Two Garrison during a one-day visit to units of the Garrison at Takoradi. Dr Addo-Kufuor said security agencies ought to take measures to protect the constitution and maintain peace and security. He said the country's democratic dispensation must be protected to ensure sustainable development.

"Ghana has made great strides in recent years through the support and hard work of the civilian and the military and I am quite certain that our country will attain a strong and prosperous future," he said. Dr Addo-Kufuor said government has done what it could to improve the remuneration and service conditions of the Armed Forces and that from now on, the salary scale of soldiers would be reviewed annually instead of once every two years to enhance the conditions of servicemen. He said at the national level, 19 projects had been completed at 29.1 billion cedis while 33 others with total estimate of 38.3 billion cedis were on going.

He said a new and larger headquarters for the Ministry of Defence has been proposed and that it would be built with assistance from China.