Protect & support constitution - Addo-Kufuor to GAF

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, former Defence Minister, has called on the Ghana Armed Forces to maintain its enviable international reputation and to become development partner of the Government.

They should also respect, support and protect the Constitution, he said at a farewell party organized by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in his honour at the Burma Hall in Accra.

Dr Addo-Kufuor expressed satisfaction that the Military was one of the few state institutions, which was in a better shape now than at the time of Independence and said he hoped that through the cadet corps in the various educational institutions would inculcate the virtues of discipline, respect for legitimate authority, punctuality, cleanliness both personal and environmental in the youth.

He praised the various Chiefs of Defence Staff and Service Commanders he worked with over the six-and-a-half years and especially mentioned Lt-Gen. Ben Akafia, Lt-Gen. Seth Kofi Obeng and Lt-Gen. J.B. Danquah for their co-operation and support.

Dr Addo-Kufuor also expressed his appreciation for the effective collaboration of the Deputy Ministers of Defence, Chief Directors and staff of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). Mr. William Ofori Boafo, Deputy Minister for Defence, described the former Minister as a visionary and accomplished leader for bringing "a great change in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which has never been witness before".

Speaking at the party attended by senior and junior officers of GAF, Directors and civilian employees of the Ministry, the Deputy Minister commended Dr Addo-Kufuor for his efforts, which he said had changed the landscape of the MOD, Burma Camp and the various garrisons. He commended the former Minister for his vision and illustrious work and described him as "indefatigable, disciplined, transparent, honest, selfless and majestic."

Mr Ofori Boafo identified some of the footprints the former Minister was leaving at the MOD as 51 completed housing projects between 2001 and 2007, 70 ongoing housing projects, the construction of the Burma Hall with approximately 2,000 seating capacity, a modern library complex and offices for the Education Department and the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre of Excellence.

Other projects were a computer centre, the Beijing Barracks comprising accommodation for both junior and senior officers at Burma Camp, the second phase of the 37 Military Hospital expansion and developments as well as the Post Graduate Medical Science programme, new Ministry of Defence Block complex and re-forestation projects. He identified other achievements as the acquisition of K8 Combat Aircrafts and a stimulator, M17 helicopters, the commencement of the Slipway project at the Sekondi Naval Base and the addition of Aviation Unit to our peacekeeping mission in the Ivory Coast.

Mr Ofori Boafo noted that Dr Addo-Kufuor was able to carry out the projects with funding from sources outside Government budget through his own initiative.

The various services of the Ghana Armed Forces gave presents to the former Minister and his wife.

The Chief of Defence Staff presented a personal gift while the incoming Minister of Defence; Mr. Kan Dapaah on behalf of the Ministry handed over presents to Dr Addo-Kufuor and his wife Mrs. Rosemary Addo-Kufuor.