Sunyani(BA), Sept. 27, GNA - Major General Samuel A. Odotei, Chief of Army Staff, has assured Ghanaians of the commitment of the military to ensure the prevailing peace and stability in the country was maintained.

He noted that without peace and stability, there could be no development and urged the military to exhibit high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties to enable the country achieve its goals. "I have witnessed conflict situations in other countries and their devastating effects on the citizenry. The army would not be a party to anything or any organization that would disrupt the prevailing peace and stability in the country, " he added.

Major General Odotei gave the assurance during a courtesy call on Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, as part of his routine visit to the Third Battalion of Infantry in Sunyani. He gave the assurance that the Region would have its fair share of representation in the army during recruitment.

"Every Region would have its fair share in the army. Experience has proved that those from the hinterland come out as best quality recruits, because they are familiar with the terrain during training," he added. Major General Odotei, commended Mr Baffour-Awuah and the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC) for their support to the battalion during their operations and the effective way they had maintained peace and order in the Region. Mr Baffour-Awuah, expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the battalion for their collaboration with the police to reduce armed robbery in the Region. He noted that the services of the military had been felt in the region and urged them to keep up the spirit because the public had confidence in them.

Mr Baffour-Awuah appealed to the Army Commander to provide military personnel at Techiman and Bui because of the economic activities and construction of the dam to protect life and property. Maj-Gen Odotei earlier inspected a guard of honour and received four bales of second hand clothing worth 180 Ghana cedis from the personnel in response to a call by the military to support the flood victims in northern parts of the country.

He also unveiled a bronze scorpion emblem, a symbol of the battalion that has been erected at the entrance of barracks. Explaining the choice of scorpion by the battalion, the Army Commander said the scorpion was known to be poisonous, and its selection did not mean it posed security risk but it was there to maintain peace and security in the Region.