Egyam (W/R), Dec. 23, -GNA- Some Officers and men of the Second Infantry Battalion (2BN) of the Ghana Army at the Myohaung Barracks on Saturday joined the people of Egyam in the Ahanta West district to offer about six hours communal labour on the on-going rehabilitation of the local community centre. The Soldiers, mostly artisans helped to break and remove old and cracked concrete to make way for new floor spreading, plastering and painting that would cost about 5.3 million cedis.

Mr. Samuel Jonfia, Member of Parliament for the area had presented 70 bags of cement for the completion of the project, Mr. Andrew Baidoo, Assembly Member told the Ghana News Agency. He said the project, when completed in February next year, would enable the people to have a meeting place for entertainment and other social activities. The people were full of praise for the decision by the soldiers to support their communal activities to enhance development of the area.

Mr. James Essien and Mr Anthony Amoah, Unit Committee Chairman and Organiser respectively said this had created new and positive image for the personnel of the 2BN. They said this newly found relationship would further boost cooperation between Soldiers and civilians.

Major Albert Dawohoso, acting 2BN Commander said the Command had decided to adopt Egyam and would support the community to achieve its developmental objectives. He told the people to plan and organised periodic communal labour in which personnel from the 2BN would be ready and willing to participate as their contribution to ensure accelerated developmental of the community.

Major Dawohoso said 2BN would use its artisans and other personnel to provide free labour on ongoing and other planned projects of the people who are predominantly farmers. He said 2BN would organise regular entertainment and sporting activities with the people to make the relationship a permanent one.

While the Soldiers were busily rehabilitating the community centre, a team from the Army Health Department also of the Myohaung Barracks organised health talks for women in the community.

Madam Mercy Mensah, a Midwife of the Department led the team to discuss causes of the spread of HIV/ AIDS, prevention of the disease, teenage pregnancy and abortion and other sexually transmitted diseases. She said the Army clinic at the barracks was opened to civilians and should not hesitate to access health service at the clinic. Madam Mensah advised pregnant women to attend hospital regular for the early detection of any health problem.