President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Thursday cut the sod for the commencement of work on a US$100 million military housing project and reconstruction of the Ghana Military Academy.
The project forms part of Government's overarching development agenda to retool and re-equip, rehabilitate, upgrade and provide adequate and conducive housing and training facilities for the military across the country, to improve the working conditions and enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Speaking at the ceremony at the Military Academy and Training Schools (MATS), at Teshie, near Accra, the President pointed out that it was not acceptable that the security services, including the GAF to still have problems with housing.
He said it was about time military personnel were provided with better and modern accommodation, and that, it was objectionable that personnel found accommodation elsewhere because of the lack of adequate and improper residential facilities when they should be properly housed in the barracks for easy deployment by the military command.
The President was emphatic, saying that, "we need all our military personnel within reach of the High Command for rapid deployment in times of emergency," and that government would ensure all its pledges to make the security services efficient and effective come to fruition.
The US$100 million project, which would be completed in 36 months, would see the construction of 176 two-bedroom flats; 160 two-bedroom half compound house; 1 military hostel with 240 self-contained rooms; and 1 platoon commanders' block, containing four two-bedroom flats.
Additionally, the project would include the construction of a Military Academy auditorium with 640 seating capacity; one-storey classroom block for the Military Academy; an administration office block with 48 offices and conference rooms for the Ghana Military Academy; and the construction of a fence wall around the entire Ghana Military Academy at Teshie, scheduled to be completed in June 2020.
The Military Housing Project is being undertaken with two Chinese companies, Poly Changda Overseas Engineering Company Limited and Poly Technologies of the People's Republic of China, who have provided the US$100 million facility.
President Akufo-Addo noted that, since assuming office in 2017, his government had engaged in a number of projects through the Barracks Regeneration Project (BRP) policy.
The Policy, which was launched in 2017, begun with the cutting of the sod for the construction of sixty-four (64) housing units for the Armed Forces. Sixteen of these housing units have been completed, with the remainder set to be completed and commissioned by the end of this year.
"In furtherance of this policy, Government has decided to construct one hundred and sixty (160) two (2) bedroom houses, and eleven (11) four (4) storey block of flats for the Armed Forces across the country. The objective of this project is to increase the housing units for personnel, and also transform the Ghana Military Academy into a truly world class institution," he added.
The President urged the contractors of the project to complete the work on time to enable the military to have access to the facilities within the stipulated construction period of 36 months.
"I assure the officers, men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces that my Government will not relent in its efforts at transforming the Ghana Armed Forces into a formidable force, and will continue to help enhance the capacity and capabilities of the Armed Forces towards the development of our nation," the President stressed.