Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), were on Thursday, called
upon to distance themselves from partisan politics, in order to focus
on defending the state against all forms of threats.
Brigadier
General Richard Debrah, Director General, Joint Operations at the GAF
Headquarters, said even though as civilians, they may have actively
participated in politics, as soldiers and defendants of the
constitution, it was their mandatory duty to distance themselves from
politics.
Brig. Gen. Debrah made the call at Shai Hills when he
reviewed the passing out parade of 421 recruits, comprising of 299 men
and 122 women at the Army Recruit Training School (ARTS).
The
421 recruits were taken through drills in weapon handling and
marksmanship, minor tactics, field craft, military law, map reading and
junior leadership among others, under the Basic Infantry Training
Course during the past five months.
The Reviewing Officer
reminded them that being apolitical and impartial was a necessary
requirement from them, explaining that the military would be called
upon to collaborate with other stakeholders to provide security to
ensure free, fair and transparent elections during the forthcoming
general elections.
He charged them to readily rise to the
defence of the constitution as well as abide by the laws of the state
and the Armed Forces, adding that, the GAF draws its strength from the
constitution.
Brig Gen Debrah urged the recruits to protect
the public and also desist from molesting innocent civilians,
conducting illegal “one-man operations” as well as turning themselves
into land guards.
He observed that “some young soldiers, on
passing out of the Recruit Training School, quickly turn themselves
into land guards, apparently for financial benefits,” adding that,
their conduct was of grave concern to the Military High Command.
He
stressed that it was a mark of indiscipline to engage in such
activities, emphasizing that, “all these acts of indiscipline,
unprofessionalism and cowardice would attract the appropriate
sanctions”.
Recruit Nyansu Stephen won the Overall Best Recruit
in addition to five other prizes, while Recruits Boateng Kingsley, Yaro
Mohammed and Guara Isaac won the Best in Junior Leadership, Recruit in
Drill and Physical Training respectively.
Source: GNA