It is Defence Ministry's priority to house servicemen - Tony Aidoo

No 'Question Time' on Thursday - Dr Adjei

Accra (Greater Accra), 21 February 2000

Dr Tony Aidoo, Deputy Minister of Defence on Friday, told Parliament that statistics regarding regional and gender composition of recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces is classified information.

Dr Aidoo, who was answering questions in the House, said that the Ministry has complied with the provisions of Articles 35 (5) and 35 (6) (b) of the Constitution in the recruitment of persons into the Armed Forces.

The Deputy Minister had been asked whether the sector has complied with these constitutional provisions and if so, whether he would provide relevant statistics on regional and gender composition of such recruitment since January 1993.

The relevant parts of provisions of Article 35, says: "the State shall actively promote the integration of the people of Ghana and prohibit discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, gender or religion.

"Towards the achievement of these objectives..., the State shall take appropriate measures to achieve reasonable regional and gender balance in recruitment and appointment to public offices".

Asked why such information is classified, Dr Aidoo explained that the information of the exact number of men and women recruited into the armed forces and the various regions they come from, is part of the defence strategy of the Military and as such, a classified information.

The Deputy Minister told the House that the Ministry is aware of the constitutional provisions of equity and gender balance, saying Ghana is not running a conscript army.

"We have a voluntary system where the people have the choice to be recruited into the armed forces", he said.

Dr Aidoo explained that while people in one region may be interested to be enlisted into the armed forces, people in another region may not be interestred, saying there is no way in such circumstance to achieve regional balance in recruitment.

Besides, he said, specialised tasks require specialised knowledge and it is those, who have such attributes that will have access into the armed forces.

"It will be against the spirit and letter of the Constitution to open a register identifying people in each region.

"It might predispose me to tribal consideration and this is against the Constitution", he said.

On housing officers and men of the armed forces to ensure their comfort in retirement, Dr Aidoo said the Ministry of Defence does not have any housing programme for military personnel on their retirement.

He said, however, that it is the first priority of the Ministry is to provide adequate accommodation for serving personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He added that if hopefully, circumstances permit, the Ministry would provide post-service accommodation to ensure comfortable retirement of military personnel.

Dr Aidoo told a questioner that under normal circumstances, a request for a comprehensive report on the Ghana Armed Forces participation in ECOMOG operations in Liberia falls in the domain of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He, however, volunteered to apprise the House of the military's operations in Liberia, and said by virtue of Ghana's membership of ECOWAS, the country was obliged to provide troops alongside other member countries, to help maintain peace and security in that country.

He said personnel of the armed forces, who were despatched to Liberia in 1990, were to be in that country for a year by which time it was expected that sanity would have prevailed to allow for free and fair elections.

However, he said, the troops had to be in Liberia for seven years due to the exigencies of the time, adding that if it had not been for the timely intervention of international donor support, ECOMOG might not have accomplished its mission.

The Deputy Minister attributed the prevailing peace in Liberia to the tireless efforts of the Ghanaian troops and those of member countries of the ECOWAS, noting that the nine years that ECOMOG was in Liberia have been described as "precedent-setting strategy"

He suggested that a common fund should be set up by ECOWAS for any future peacekeeping operations in the West African sub-region.

On relocation of the military barracks at Bantama in Kumasi, Dr Aidoo said the Ministry has no intention of abandoning the Uaddara Barracks, saying currently there are four logistic units there, including the only military medical facility that caters for the health needs of personnel and their families.

He said the Ministry rather has plans to rehabilitate the structures at the barracks to provide adequate accommodation for the personnel as soon as funds become available.

The Deputy Minister was asked about compensation to be paid to farmers, whose lands were acquired, for use as a shooting range for the Third Batallion of Infantry at Sunyani.

He explained that those lands were acquired by the government under the provisions of the State Lands Act 1962, Act 125 (E.I. 23 of 1968).

"The question of payment of compensation, therefore, does not rest in the domain of the Ministry of Defence", he said.

GRi

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Accra (Greater Accra), 21 February 2000

Dr Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs has announced that there would be no 'Question Time' next Thursday in view of two important motions, which have been programmed for that day.

The motions are a second reading of the Customs and Excise (Duties and Other Taxes) (Amendment) Bill and the continuation of the debate on the Government's Financial Policy for the year ending December 31, 2000.

Dr Adjei, who is also chairman of the Business Committee, announced this when presenting the business statement for the seventh week ending Friday, February 25.

He said that the Ministers of Health, Roads and Transport, Employment and Social Welfare and Communications would be in the House during the week to respond to questions pertaining to their respective ministries.

Dr Adjei said that in view of the inability of the House to commence debate on the financial policy of the government, last Wednesday as scheduled, the conclusion of it has been extended from February 29 to March one.

He stressed that due to the heavy legislative and financial programme before Parliament, it will not be feasible to extend the date of the debate after March one.

During the week, there will be laying of papers and committee sittings, while the Speaker may allow statements from members.

GRi

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