Koforidua, May 13, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Region Minister, has said government would

assist soldiers going on retirement who want to go into farming. He said under the government's block farming project, they would be assisted to acquire land at places like the

Afram Plains and be provided with irrigation machines and tractors and would pay back in instalments. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was speaking at a farewell get-together at Michel Camp on Wednesday in honour of 82

soldiers who had served in the Ghana Army for 25 years and above and are proceeding on terminal leave. He said there was dignity in farming and assured the retiring soldiers of good opportunities that abound in the

society. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo appealed to the soldiers to put their rich experience at the disposal of the public. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said personnel of the security services would be the major beneficiaries of 200,000 housing

units to be built. Lt. Col Barima Brako Owusu, Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, said the oil find and its

commercial drilling would present challenges to the military. He said soldiers should therefore position to be able to deal with any threat. "Let us always remember that the entire country is counting on us. The Ghana Armed Forces is also expecting us

to live up to expectation and we can only do that through loyalty and professionalism."