Brigadier General Daniel K. Mishio, Director General, Joint Operations at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) General Headquarters, has cautioned young soldiers to refrain from partisan politics and focus on their training.

He urged them to concentrate on defending the State against all forms of threats, whether internal or external.

He said, "You will be called upon during Election 2012 and in collaboration with other stakeholders, to provide security to ensure free, fair and transparent election. Remember that your performance of these tasks will require that you remain politically neutral and impartial, but fair and firm".

A statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie of GAF Public Relations Directorate in Accra on Friday, said Brig. Gen. Mishio, gave the caution when reviewing the passing out parade of 446 recruits of the Basic Infantry Training Course 1/12 at the Army Training School (ARTS) at Shai Hills.

He advised the young soldiers not to see their new career as an opportunity to constitute themselves into unauthorised law enforcement agencies, adding that, unless they were under clear orders from their superior authority, they had no business undertaking debt collection, guarding lands or settling personal disputes without recourse to due process of the law.

Brig. Gen. Mishio asked them to be mindful of being lured by their own relatives and friends to undertake ventures that were illegal, and reminded them of their oath to bear true and faithful allegiance to the country.

"You are to rise and defend the Constitution and always abide by the laws of the State including those of the Ghana Armed Forces," he added.

The recruits, all men, were taken through 23 weeks of training, including weapon handing and workmanship, physical and field craft, military history, first aid, map reading and junior leadership.

Recruit Warrant Officer Damesi Israel Wisdom was adjudged the best all round recruit and took three out of the 10 prizes at stake.**