Regional News of Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Source: GNA

Military to fight encroachment of its lands

Lieutenant Colonel George Sam, Commanding Officer of the Second Infantry Battalion at Apremdo in Takoradi, on Wednesday said the command was poised to protecting the lands under its jurisdiction from further encroachment by citizens in the command’s catchment area.

He said the command had already seceded over 53 acres of its land to the communities, adding that the reserved land served as Shooting Range for personnel of the service during training and admonished the public to keep off.

Lt Col. Sam out-lined this and other visions in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after his induction as the new boss of the Infantry.

He takes over from Lt. Col. Albert Kwadwo Dahowoso who has served the Command for the past eight years in different capacities and now heading to the Armed Forces Staff College in Accra.

The symbolic presentation of the Infantry Colours as well as the “Pulling-Out” was done by the infantry to signify the handing over of activities of the Infantry to the new boss.

Lt Col. Sam encouraged prospective buyers of land to rather consult the Lands Commission or find out from the Command before doing any purchases, adding, “Shooting ranges are always not suitable for habitation and so safety and security concerns must also be considered by interested individuals”.

Lt Col. Dahowoso, the former boss, was grateful for the cooperation he had enjoyed during his tenure and encouraged them to establish a more positive relationship with the civilian population they lived with.

He mentioned social interventions such as staff welfare fund, gym, pharmacy and educational endowment fund among others as some measures introduced during his tenure.

Lt Col. Dahowoso expressed gratitude to the Regional Security Council and Ghana Rubber Estate Limited among other companies, and some individuals for the numerous contributions towards maintaining peace and order in the region.**