Ghana Armed Forces Receive Patrol Vehicles(Back Page) 11/01/08

Story: Michael Donkor
The government has presented the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) with 33 Toyota Hilux vehicles estimated at GH¢700,000.
The vehicles, which would be used for military patrols, are fitted with long range communication equipment to ensure swift and effective communication among the patrol teams at all times to enhance quick reinforcement and prompt reaction to situations.
At a handing over ceremony at Burma Camp in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, explained that the vehicles were a donation from the government because they were not procured from the normal armed forces budget.
He said the GAF, in conjunction with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, had a role to play to ensure that the country enjoyed untainted peace and stability, especially in this election year.
He said it was in this direction that the ministry was very pleased with the move to support them in their numerous internal operations, especially “Operation Calm Life”.
Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed the hope that the vehicles would go a long way to support moves to ensure peace and security in the country.
He said last year, the government made a similar donation of vehicles to the GAF to assist in “Operation Calm Life” duties.
Mr Kan-Dapaah urged all the beneficiaries of the vehicles to continue to apply pragmatic and innovative ideas to surmount any challenges such as robust patrols along the highways, towns and cities to clamp down on armed robbers and other deviants in the society.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, said the vehicles had been sprayed in a special military camouflage pattern to send a message to all armed robbers and criminals in the society that the armed forces were poised for swift and decisive action against their anti-social activities.
He appealed to all Ghanaians to volunteer timely and accurate information on criminal activities to the security services to enhance their collective fight against crime.
Lt. Gen. Danquah reminded the security agencies that their collective effort and teamwork in fighting crime was crucial at all times.