Peace Keeping school for ECOWAS

Ho (Volta Region), 24th July 99

 The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States are to rehabilitate the dilapidated buildings of the former Border Guards station at Akoefe, near Ho and turn it into a Peacekeeping Training School.

Dr Tony Aidoo, Deputy Minister of Defence, said students of the school would undertake humanitarian activities to mitigate natural and man-made disasters.

The Deputy Minister made this known during a familiarisation tour of the Medium Mortar Regiment in Ho on Thursday as part an inspection tour of all seven Garrisons of the Ghana Army stationed there.

He said his ministry would encourage the Armed Forces to get involved in civilian and other commercial activities because of their varied expertise which could be tapped for national development.

Dr Aidoo, who was taken round facilities by Lt-Col. John Fokuo, the Commanding Officer, said "these programmes are being put in place to get the army closer to the people so that the public will see them as partners in the national development efforts and not as enemies".

Lt.-Col Fokuo had briefed the Minister on problems facing the barracks, citing welfare and equipment and hoped that they would be resolved early to motivate the personnel to continue with their good work.

Dr Aidoo also inspected a number of projects at the barracks including the under utilised health and broken down sewerage facilities.

GRi?/