President tells security to be objective in their duties

     President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday appealed to the military and other security services to discharge their duties dispassionately and objectively.

    He said the December general election was crucial and a test case for all security agencies to adhere strictly to the laws of the country without fear or favour of one group against the other.

    President Mahama said this at the Course 33 graduation ceremony of 61 military and other security services at the Ghana Armed Forces and Staff College (GAFSC) in Accra.

    The graduates, who spent almost one year in the college, undertook courses in general military professionalism, international affairs and diplomacy among others.

    Forty of the graduates are from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) while 21 are from Mali, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra leone, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Togo.

    President Mahama gave the assurance that the government would continue to resource the military and other security agencies to enable them execute their professional mandate of defending the state and ensuring peace.

    He said the government had procured two new CASA 295 aircraft while some helicopters would be received to beef up the fleet before the end of the year.

    President Mahama also promised to support the GAF with some armoured vehicles, the completion of a 15-unit room residential accommodation for the staff of the college and other logistics that would enhance their performance.

    Major General Kwesi Yankson, Commandant of the GAFSC, called on the graduates never to be hasty in their conclusion, but carefully study, understand the issues before making decisions.

    “The knowledge that you have acquired during the period should give you the confidence to overcome the challenges ahead of your career path,” he said.

    Major Gen Yankson noted that the success of the graduates depended on values, commitment and determination.

    “Remember that managing emotions is a critical success factor in any organisation, more so in the military,” he added.

    He urged them to read regularly and widely and revise what they have learnt in the college to enhance their knowledge and improve on their sphere of profession.

    Major Emmanuel Appiah from the Ghana Army was awarded the honour graduate and the Chief of Staff’s Awards, while Major Didier Bamouni from the Burkina Faso Army was the most improved student and Lieutenant Commandant Umar Saidu was adjudged the Best Allied Student.

    Second Best Student Awards went to Major Daniel Amenyo Agbekor of the Ghana Army and Major Noble Carl Doe Dei-Alorse was also awarded the third Best Student and Major George Wilson of the Ghana Army took the Commandant Prize.

    Other awards went to Major Daniel Mensah-Gorman, for the Everard Awards, Chief of Air Staff Awards went Squadron leader George Osei-Owusu of the Air Force, Lieutenant Commandant Albert Anku Kpesenu of the Ghana Navy took home the Chief of Naval Staff Awards