Tamale, Jan 27, GNA - The Ministry of Defence will soon attach a staff college to the University of Ghana, Legon and the Ghana Military Academy for soldiers to acquire a Masters Degree in Military Studies. This initiative is to adequately equip the forces academically and socially to enable them to face the ever-changing global trends and technology in their military duties, Defence Minister Kwame Addo-Kufuor has said.
He was addressing the soldiers at a durbar organised in his honour during his two-day working visit to the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces in Tamale.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said many opportunities for higher education were available and accessible to the soldiers and urged them to take advantage of them to upgrade their standards. "You must take advantage of every opportunity to acquire higher education since it is one of the means through which you could be promoted and could enhance the activities of the Ghana Armed Forces at the international level."
He commended the military for the excellent reputation it had earned internationally through peacekeeping operations. The Minister expressed appreciation for the support of the military in collaboration with the Northern Regional Security Committee in maintaining peace and order in the region.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshall Julius Otchere Boateng, said a committee would soon be named to review the military salary structure, as well as their peacekeeping allowances to encourage and enhance their commitment, loyalty and dedication to duty. The Minister and his entourage inspected renovation works at the 6th Battalion of Infantry, the Air Borne Force and the Air Force Station, all in Tamale.
Dr Addo-Kuffuor also called at the palace of Dakpema (Chief of Tamale), Alhaji Rowland Alhassan, who appealed to the government to fulfil its promise of returning stool lands acquired by the State years ago, to their owners to be used for development projects, citing the Kaladan barracks as one such lands.
Alhaji Alhassan pledged his total support and cooperation with politicians, the security agencies in restoring and sustaining peace in the region.
Dr. Addo-Kufuor also paid a courtesy call on the Muslim community in the Tamale Metropolis and urged Muslims to pray for peace. 27 Jan. 06