AKUFO-ADDO PRESENTS 60 VEHICLES TO ARMY; CUTS SOD FOR US$24.8 MILLION HOUSING PROJECT

President Akufo-Addo has presented 50 vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces and has released 40 Jeep J8 vehicles, 6 Toyota Hi-ace buses, and 14 Toyota Hilux pick-ups to augment the Military’s vehicular resources.

 According to President Akufo-Addo, the vehicles will help the Army contain the security threats posed by extremist groups operating along Ghana’s northern borders, and also help them deal better with internal security challenges.

 At the presentation ceremony on Wednesday, 27th October 2021, the President also noted that the new vehicles are to complement the 73 armoured personnel carriers, 41 Toyota vehicles, 3 water tankers, 1 self-loading recovery truck, 1 refrigeration van, and 5 utility vehicles for waste disposal and management, he presented to them on 5th December 2019 and 31st March 2021.

 “We recognize that our vision of ensuring equitable distribution of development, progress and prosperity to all parts of the country can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and security. We are determined to continue in this vein, and satisfy the legitimate demands of the Armed Forces,” he said.

 Prior to the presentation of the vehicles, President Akufo-Addo drove through the Ghana Military Academy infrastructure upgrade project site and expressed delight that the project had progressed significantly, since he cut the sod for its commencement on 4th July 2019.  

 From the project, the Cadet Mess, the Square and lecture rooms are completed, while the Administration Block is some ninety-five (95%) complete. The contractor is in the final stages of completing the external works. The two hundred and forty-six (246) capacity Cadet Hostel and Platoon Commander’s Block are some sixty-five percent (65%) complete as well.

The President was also informed that the housing project, which is an integral part of the facility funding the military facility upgrade project, would see the Ghana Armed Forces adding eight hundred and thirty-two (832) units of 2-bedroom self-contained flats to its stock when completed, with the ones at Five (5) and Six (6) Garrisons also at various stages of completion.

 President Akufo-Addo also inspected the ongoing construction of the seven-storey Army Headquarters Office Complex, which is also progressing steadily.

 “This project is costing the taxpayer some thirty-three million cedis (GH¢33 million). Undoubtedly, it will boost the image and morale of the Army, since the Air Force and the Navy already have very beautiful headquarters, and we cannot allow the Army to be left out,” he added.

The government reportedly released funds last year to start re-tooling, reconstructing and upgrading fifteen (15) Forward Operating Bases and new units, including the ten (10) and eleven (11) Mechanised Battalions, one hundred and fifty-four (154) Armoured Regiment and one hundred and fifty-five (155) Armoured Regiment, and supporting logistics units.  

 “All these efforts of re-tooling and providing the necessary housing units will enhance the state of preparedness of the Armed Forces,” he added.