SECURITY AGENCIES TO BENEFIT FROM $10b HOUSING LOAN (PAGE 17, JAN 7, 2010)

The government has secured a $10billion facility from a Korean firm for the construction of housing facilities for security personnel in the country.
Apart from the security agencies, health workers and teachers, and other categories of workers across the country will also benefit from the facility.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, said this at an end-of-year party, dubbed WASSA (West Africa Soldiers Social Activity), at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani.
The party, which was aimed at fostering unity among the various ranks of the 3 Infantry Battalion (3BN), civilian employees and their families, was attended by members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), some personnel of the other security agencies including the Police, Prisons, Fire Service and a cross-section of the public.
It was held at the poolside at the Liberation Barracks.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani would also be a beneficiary of the housing project that would go along way to ease the accommodation problem of personnel at the barracks.
He stated further that the government was also committed in meeting the logistical constraints and other operational needs of the GAF and the other security agencies in the country to enable them to discharge their constitutionally mandated roles effectively.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo also used the opportunity to commend the military as well as the other security agencies for the role they played in ensuring a peaceful general election.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister paid glowing tribute to the GAF for its role in international peacekeeping operations which, he said, was part of their efforts in helping to bring peace to conflict areas around the world and in the country.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo noted that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was also grateful to the 3BN who have been assisting in maintaining peace in the region, adding that apart from this, personnel of the 3BN had also been engaged in other operational activities to prevent crimes such as armed robbery and the protection of the environment dubbed “Operation Calm Life” and “Operation Halt Illegal Chain Saw”.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the GAF would continue to play their traditional role of ensuring the sovereignty of the state and its territorial waters, especially the oil fields in the country when they started operating next year.
Major Cornelius Kobla Lithur, the acting Commanding Officer of the 3 Garriosn, in his address reminded all ranks of the need to conduct all their operations in accordance with the military standard operating procedures and laid-down rules of engagement.
“It is very important for us all to recognise that in the current democratic dispensation, the rule of law prevails and as such our activities must conform to this vital constitutional provision”, he emphasised.
Major Lithur further urged the officers and men of the 3 Garrison to resolve to exhibit high levels of tolerance even in the face of extreme provocation, pledging that the command would continue to strive hard to improve on their relationship with civil society in order to engender peaceful co-existence for national development.
Prizes were also presented to winners of fun games held at the barracks, which preceded the party.