Shai Hills, July 03, GNA- Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), were on Thursday, called upon to distance themselves from partisan politics, in order to focus on defending the state against all forms of threats.

Brigadier General Richard Debrah, Director General, Joint Operations at the GAF Headquarters, said even though as civilians, they may have actively participated in politics, as soldiers and defendants of the constitution, it was their mandatory duty to distance themselves from politics.

Brig. Gen. Debrah made the call at Shai Hills when he reviewed the passing out parade of 421 recruits, comprising of 299 men and 122 women at the Army Recruit Training School (ARTS). The 421 recruits were taken through drills in weapon handling and marksmanship, minor tactics, field craft, military law, map reading and junior leadership among others, under the Basic Infantry Training Course during the past five months.

The Reviewing Officer reminded them that being apolitical and impartial was a necessary requirement from them, explaining that the military would be called upon to collaborate with other stakeholders to provide security to ensure free, fair and transparent elections during the forthcoming general elections.

He charged them to readily rise to the defence of the constitution as well as abide by the laws of the state and the Armed Forces, adding that, the GAF draws its strength from the constitution. Brig Gen Debrah urged the recruits to protect the public and also desist from molesting innocent civilians, conducting illegal "one-man operations" as well as turning themselves into land guards. He observed that "some young soldiers, on passing out of the Recruit Training School, quickly turn themselves into land guards, apparently for financial benefits," adding that, their conduct was of grave concern to the Military High Command.

He stressed that it was a mark of indiscipline to engage in such activities, emphasizing that, "all these acts of indiscipline, unprofessionalism and cowardice would attract the appropriate sanctions".

Recruit Nyansu Stephen won the Overall Best Recruit in addition to five other prizes, while Recruits Boateng Kingsley, Yaro Mohammed and Guara Isaac won the Best in Junior Leadership, Recruit in Drill and Physical Training respectively.