Mr Mark Owen Wayongo, Minister for Defence, has said the Ministry is exploring possibilities of placing the Military Academy and Training School (MATS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) under the GETfund.

Mr Wayongo said his outfit will have discussions with the Ministry of Finance and Education to chart a way possible to include the Academy under the Fund to get additional funds for its rehabilitation projects.

He said this during a tour of institutions under his Ministry to familiarise himself with its operations and the way forward.

The institutions toured included the Southern Command of the GAF, MATS, the GAF Command and Staff College and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Mr Wayongo commended the forces for their commitment and loyalty over the years in protecting the country’s internal and external territories against any threat, adding the nation is regarded as a beacon of hope due to the peace and stability it enjoyed.

He said government is committed to ensuring that the forces are well resourced to perform its responsibilities effectively and that the Forces were presented with vehicles to aid in their operations of duty.

Mr Wayongo urged the forces to be circumspect in their duty and work with other security agencies to ensure orderliness and peace and protect Military lands from encroachers.

He urged all the institutions to submit a list of their challenges to the Ministry for government support and expected them to be loyal and work hard to defend the country at all times.

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kpierele, Commander and Logistics Officer and Commander Operations Officer of the Southern Command of GAF, said the mission of the force is to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

He said the force is also to assist with other civil authorities to maintain internal security in ensuring law and order as well as providing people-oriented security and safeguard the seat of government.

Mr Ebenezer Anum Tetteh, Corporate Affairs at KAIPTC, said the centre was established in 2003 spearheaded by Dr Kofi Annan with support from foreign donors to ensuring international peace and security across board.

He said the centre is charged with the responsibility of developing regional and sub-regional strategy for peace building and enhance capacity for conflict prevention.

The institutions pledge to support the Minister in discharging his duties as the new Minister of Defence.

The Minister also toured the 37 Military Hospital to interact with the Doctors for helping in attending to patients prior to the strike of the Ghana Medical Association and commended their efforts.