Cherish mandate of upholding Constitution - Kufuor urges military

Accra, Sept. 5, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), on Friday urged the military to cherish its mandate of upholding the Constitution. This, he said, was the surest way to secure the nation and guarantee peace and stability.

Addressing the graduation parade and commissioning of 82 cadet officers at the Military Academy and Training School (MATS) at Teshie in Accra, President Kufuor said the nation expected from them complete loyalty, devotion to duty and good conduct. The graduating officers, including 12 females, had undergone 22 months of training.

Forty-two of the officers underwent the Regular Career Course, lasting 84 weeks, while 40 took the 32-week Short Service Commission/Special Duties course.

President Kufuor commended the GAF and other security services for ensuring peace and security in some flash points of the country. "It is thanks to them that the unfortunate ethnic encounters at Yendi, Anloga and Bawku, now also Tamale, have not got out of hand." He pledged that government would ensure that necessary steps were taken to provide the necessary tools, equipment and welfare facilities for the armed forces to enhance their administrative and operational efficiency.

Among those who attended the ceremony were the Defence and Interior Ministers, Service and Formation Commanders, retired Generals, senior officers of the various security agencies, traditional rulers and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

President Kufuor congratulated the cadets for the successful completion of their training, and urged them to maintain the professional integrity of the armed forces, adding that the training and facilities now available should dispose them better to these virtues. Senior Under-Officer Christopher Quaye was adjudged the best all round Officer Cadet in the regular career course and was presented with the Sword of Honour.