Armed Forces college to award degrees

Accra (Greater Accra), 16 Mar. ?99

The Ministry of Defence has set up a board to work out modalities to transform the Ghana Military Academy (GMA) and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) into degree awarding institutions. The upgrading of the institutions will equip officers with the necessary skills, make them marketable and enhance professionalism. Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the outgoing Minister of Defence announced this at a farewell parade in his honour by 48 men and three officers of the Ghana Armed Forces in Accra on Tuesday. Alhaji Iddrisu said the "acquisition of degrees and diplomas will remove one of the greatest sources of anxiety for most officers and enable them to engage enthusiastically in their military duties and responsibilities even in the twilight years of their professional career."

He said both GMA and GAFCSC have the adequate physical infrastructure, intellectual and administrative capacity to undertake under- graduate and post-graduate programmes. Alhaji Iddrisu who is now Advisor to the President on Governmental Affairs, said the Ghana Armed Forces has proved its capability of dealing effectively with security and other emergencies. He said to maintain the high standard of performance there is the need to adhere strictly to rigorous and time tested methods. Alhaji Iddrisu called for training policies that will encourage military personnel to improve on their education whilst in service to meet changing situations and advised senior staff officers to adopt more robust and analytical approach to their work. Alhaji Iddrisu also recommended that structures be put in place to insulate military personnel from civilian agitation for improved salaries and allowances in order to close their ranks against insidious propaganda which may jeopardise national security and political stability.

He described the Ghana Armed Forces as the live wire of the country's democracy saying decisions of the military are sensitive to the growth and development of the entire country.

He said the armed forces have an important task to ensure stability and urged personnel of the military to be fair, especially the leadership, and to tolerate divergent views. Alhaji Iddrisu called for commitment and dedication among the personnel and advised them to help rehabilitate retired soldiers.