Accra, March 8, GNA - The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Monday organized an open day at its various garrisons in Burma Camp, Accra, to bring the general public closer to the door steps of the Military. The essence of Open Day is to create a very good rapport between the public and the armed forces by reducing the element of fear.

The open day which was initiated during the Kufour Administration has been in operation for the past eight years and has been accepted by subsequent governments in the country.

The event began with exhibitions mounted by the Ghana Air-force at its base in Burma-Camp where thousands of both adults and the school children participated fully by seeing the various fighter jets, helicopters and othe= r infantry planes.

Those attending the function were actually treated to the experience o= f free flights onboard the Forker 28 belonging to the Ghana Airforce. Childre= n between the ages of three and above were very much happy when the plane too= k off.

Some of the children on the plane started screaming when there was an air turbulence which made the plane to drop a few feet and also when it began to regain height. Similar shouts were experienced when the plane began to land. When the plane touched down finally, all the children started clapping for the pilots in appreciation.

Later in interviews with the GNA, some of the children asked the Ghana Government to supply the Ghana Armed Forces with substantial aviation fuel during the Armed Forces Open Days to fly more school children. Some also said even if they did not travel outside the country in future, at least they had experienced a flight.

The Reconnaissance Regiment popularly known as "RECCE" displayed the various Armoured vehicles at their disposal and showed them the various categories of guns that are used in the army and their functions. The Second in Command of "RECCE" Regiment, Major Willie Nortey gave chance to the school children and parents to experience a jolly ride in the combat vehicles, including the newly acquired Armour Personnel Carrier (APC).

Similar exhibitions were mounted at the Fifth Battalion of Infantry Unit, the Military Academy Training School, Michel Camp in Tema and the 48 Engineers Unit of Ghana Armed Forces, where various types of land mines and bombs were on exhibition to the general public.