Accra (Greater Accra) 24 July 2002- Defence Minister Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the construction of two storey Burma Hall building and a commercial complex to cost about 11.2 billion cedis at Burma camp in Accra.

The Burma Hall building, which would have a seating capacity of 2000 people, is to cost eight billion cedis and the Burma Camp Commercial Complex is estimated at 3.2 billion cedis. Dr Addo Kufuor, before laying the foundation for the beginning of work on the projects said the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) had achieved a lot of distinction worldwide and had brought a lot of honour to the country, and as such, deserved "something commensurate to its image."

He said because of the prestige accorded the GAF by various visiting Head of States, and their zeal to interact with service personnel, GAF's infrastructure should befit its status as a major international and sub-regional player.

Dr Addo Kufuor, also acting as the Interior Minister, said the Burma Hall, which is being re-constructed by the China State Hualong Construction Limited, a Chinese firm, with technical assistance from the GAF's 49 Engineers Regiment.

The Burma Hall, built in 1945 from wood and bricks started deteriorating in the early nineties and was pulled down in 1998. It had a seating capacity of about 800 to 1000 people and used to be a nerve centre for GAF's official and social activities.

Dr. Kufuor said the newly designed Burma Hall, with a main auditorium with features such as enhanced lighting and acoustic systems would be comparable to any modern auditorium anywhere. He said the Hall would also have other features such as a VVIP reception, modern offices for receiving important guests.

The hall, when completed, would be used as a venue for the GAF's all ranks durbars, receiving of foreign dignitaries, theatre performances and musical concerts, venue for promotion and entry examinations into the GAF and other authorised social functions.

The Burma Camp Commercial Complex, he said, would accommodate the Burma

Camp Branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank and the State Insurance Company, a modern library and computer laboratory, and an Internet Caf?.

He said it was the policy of government to improve the human resource development of the people and it was its intention to assist military personnel, civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence and their families to acquire knowledge, skills and capacities with the facilities at the complex.

He said about five million cedis worth of books have been acquired for the library and about 50 computers would be used for the computer library when completed. The Minister however, told the media that funding for both projects were outside budgetary allocations of the GAF.

The Burma Hall project, he said, was being funded by money from bilateral sources; particularly from the Chinese government and that the Commercial complex was being funded by money from the GAF's peacekeeping accounts and donations from well-meaning people.

The Army Commander, who is also acting as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Clayton Yaache, on behalf of the GAF expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his foresight and pragmatism for initiating the projects, adding that it would improve the welfare of the armed forces.

He expressed the hope that the minister would continue with the same zeal for the project to be completed and asked that the conditions of service of military personnel should be considered for improvement.