Ho, June 10, GNA - Brigadier-General Martin K. G. Ahiaglo, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, has appealed to soldiers to remain loyal to the nation at all times. He said the dictates of the constitution for them to protect the territorial integrity and interests of the nation should be their guiding principle.

Brigadier-General Ahiaglo was addressing officers and men of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho as part of his three-day familiarization tour of units under his command in the Volta Region. He said soldiers should at no time do anything that would subvert or undermine the constitution.

Brigadier-General Ahiaglo, who took command of the Southern Command on May 21, said his tours were to give him a good grasp of the challenges of the Command for appropriate solutions. He advised the troops to relate well with the civilian population to earn their respect "since respect is earned and not imposed". Brigadier-General Ahiaglo paid a courtesy call on Colonel Cyril Necku (RTD), the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, and expressed joy at the good relations between the 66 Artillery Regiment and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC). Col Necku briefed Brigadier-General Ahiaglo on the security situation in the region and efforts to maintain peace at all the flash points.