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Defence
Ministry complains of overage personnel
Accra, Dec 11, Ghanadot/GNA- Mr. Joe Hackman, Vice Chairman
of the Parliamentary Select Committee of Defence on Tuesday
said the Ministry of Defence would have to address the
problem of overage soldiers between now and 2010.
He told Parliament during a motion to vote for the approval
for 2008 budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Defence
that the Ministry would be saddled with 877 overage soldiers
from now to 2010.
The House learned that 555 overage soldiers, many of whom
enrolled in 1976, and had already served the 25 years
mandatory service, were released in 2007.
Mr Hackman said existence of overage soldiers would
exacerbate the accommodation problems of the Army.
The House approved a sum of GHC 120.24 million for the
services of the Defence Ministry for the 2008, fiscal year
but contributions from members called for more funds to be
provided the Ministry in the 2008 supplementary budget.
Contributions from members regretted that there were the
poor logistics and equipment in a number of military
establishments and barracks.
They hammered on the need for a better equipment and
training of defence personnel to be more professional and
efficient in the discharged of their duties.
The advent of CAN 2008, Ghana's oil find, the fact that 2008
was an election year, calls for better defence facilities
and mechanisms, he said.
Alhaji Sumani Abukari (NDC-Tamale North), expressed worry
over the absence of communication equipment in a number of
the nation's military barracks, a situation which, he said,
made interaction with the headquarters difficult.
He cited, for instance, that Tamale Garrison lacked
communication equipment, and at one time did not have
ordinary batteries to power their electronic equipment and
he personally had to but the batteries in order for the
establishment.
Alhaji Abukari urgeded Government to put in more into the
Defence Ministry in addition to enhancing their professional
capacity to effectively discharge their duties.
Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo (NPP-Amenfi East), expressed concern
that Naval personnel in New Town in the Jomoro District in
the Western Region, used canoes without outboard motors to
chase away smugglers.
He wondered what the situation would be like, with the oil
find, which was in that same area if the Navy would still
use canoes without outboard motors, and called for better
equipment for the Navy.
Mr Aidoo called for necessary steps to pay promptly all
royalties and compensations for government acquired lands
for military purposes.
Deputy Minister of Defence, William Ofori Boafo gave the
assurance that Government would address the concerns raised.
The House also approved budgetary allocation of GHC 87.1
million for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and GHC
59.68 million for the Ministry of Harbours and Railways for
the 2008 fiscal year.
GNA
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