Ho, March 10, GNA- Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Kotia, Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment at (Volta Barracks) in Ho, last Friday said the military did not manage cocoa and illegally sawn lumber seized by task forces in the Volta Region, which the soldiers were involved.

He explained that the military only provided security for personnel of the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Forestry Commission based on agreements between the military and the two institutions.

Lt-Col Kotia, was interacting with journalists during an open day at the Barracks in Ho as part of the 51st Independence Day celebrations. He said the seized products were deposited with the two institutions and the culprits handed over to the police. Lt-Col Kotia said this cooperation between the military and the two institutions had strengthened military-civilian ties. He said there had been no reported case of soldiers molesting civilians in areas where the soldiers operated in the region within the past three years.

Lt-Col Kotia mentioned library project at Mafi-Anfoe, in the North-Tongu District, water project at Kpenoe, in the Ho Municipal Area, periodic blood donations by soldiers as some of the corporate social responsibility initiatives being undertaken by the Soldiers to deepen military-civilian relationship.

He said "We know we are civilians in uniform and have helped many communities in communal projects to help tune the minds of the public." Lt-Col Kotia said the Regiment was prepared to fraternize more with the public and called on group to organise tours of the Barracks. Individuals and organized groups including students and recruits from some security agencies who toured the barracks, had insights into activities of the regiment. They were also educated on the types of ammunitions, military dresses and some of them had the opportunity to fire the 25-pounder artillery.