$50m Chinese Loan For Soldiers Housing

According to him, the sector has acquired a $50million loan facility from China to solve the accommodation problem of the military to prevent some from living outside the barracks.

The minister made this known when he toured 5 Garrison to inspect projects being undertaken by the Ghana Armed Forces.

The minister interacted with the commandants and commanding officers and personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces to acquaint himself with the pressing needs of the forces.

He noted that some of the old infrastructure needed to be rehabilitated together with their squares and some parts of their roads.

“Currently, construction is ongoing at the Roman Ridge to provide accommodation for the commandants, Chief of Air Staff and other senior officers.

“A four-storey building will also be put up at Beijing barracks for senior NCOs; another four-storey, which will include three bedrooms, six-unit building for senior officers,” he said, would also be put up.

A four-storey building, housing three bed rooms each, together with boys’ quarters would also be put up at Labadi.

Those newly recruited would also get their share of the accommodation, as eight blocks of accommodation have also been bought for the Ministry of Works and Housing to accommodate nurses and doctors of 37 Military Hospital.

The minister averred that plans were underway to construct a modern range at Bundase, near Accra plains with permanent accommodation to house battalions who would use the place for training.

The tour also gave the commandants time to communicate with the minister on their most pressing needs.

Among the needs were accommodation for personnel, rehabilitation of their various squares, vehicles and tools for work.

Areas visited included 49 Engineer Regiment, Signal Regiment, Defence Mechanical Transport, Records Unit, Base Supply Depot, RECCE Regiment, 64 Infantry Regiment and 5 Infantry Battalion.

Most of the units, according to the commanding officers, who briefed the minister, revealed that they were into animal rearing to internally generate funds to help equip themselves instead of depending on government.

The commanding officers revealed that they were putting up accommodation facilities with internal funds to support themselves as well.