Defence Ministry complains of overage personnel

Accra, Dec 11, GNA- Mr. Joe Hackman, Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee of Defence on Tuesday said the Ministry of Defence would have to address the problem of overage soldiers between now and 2010.

He told Parliament during a motion to vote for the approval for 2008 budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Defence that the Ministry would be saddled with 877 overage soldiers from now to 2010. The House learned that 555 overage soldiers, many of whom enrolled in 1976, and had already served the 25 years mandatory service, were released in 2007.

Mr Hackman said existence of overage soldiers would exacerbate the accommodation problems of the Army.

The House approved a sum of GHC 120.24 million for the services of the Defence Ministry for the 2008, fiscal year but contributions from members called for more funds to be provided the Ministry in the 2008 supplementary budget.

Contributions from members regretted that there were the poor logistics and equipment in a number of military establishments and barracks.

They hammered on the need for a better equipment and training of defence personnel to be more professional and efficient in the discharged of their duties.

The advent of CAN 2008, Ghana's oil find, the fact that 2008 was an election year, calls for better defence facilities and mechanisms, he said.

Alhaji Sumani Abukari (NDC-Tamale North), expressed worry over the absence of communication equipment in a number of the nation's military barracks, a situation which, he said, made interaction with the headquarters difficult.

He cited, for instance, that Tamale Garrison lacked communication equipment, and at one time did not have ordinary batteries to power their electronic equipment and he personally had to but the batteries in order for the establishment.

Alhaji Abukari urgeded Government to put in more into the Defence Ministry in addition to enhancing their professional capacity to effectively discharge their duties.

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo (NPP-Amenfi East), expressed concern that Naval personnel in New Town in the Jomoro District in the Western Region, used canoes without outboard motors to chase away smugglers. He wondered what the situation would be like, with the oil find, which was in that same area if the Navy would still use canoes without outboard motors, and called for better equipment for the Navy. Mr Aidoo called for necessary steps to pay promptly all royalties and compensations for government acquired lands for military purposes. Deputy Minister of Defence, William Ofori Boafo gave the assurance that Government would address the concerns raised.

The House also approved budgetary allocation of GHC 87.1 million for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and GHC 59.68 million for the Ministry of Harbours and Railways for the 2008 fiscal year. 11 Dec. 07