The Ghana Armed Forces has indicated that statements by a group calling itself the “Alliance for Safeguarding the Integrity of the Security Services” (ASISS), in which the group alleged that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) was indiscriminately selling ifs lands to private developers was false.
In a press release issued, GAF wishes said, the?various allegations made by ASISS are either false or half-truths. “It is in this light that we wish to correct the misinformation of the general public by ASISS.”
GAF however stated that: “Number One Roman Ridge, the official residence of the Chief of the Defence
Staff, has not been sold and there are no known plans to sell the property as being alleged by ASISS. It is worthy to note that the Chief of the Defence Staff is currently living in that property.”
“The Army Mess project is being undertaken under a Public Private Partnership?(PPP) arrangement in fulfillment of the Government’s PPP program. If is a?three-phased project which includes the construction of an ultra-modern?Officers Mess Complex, living accommodation for 96 living-in members on the
premises of the Army Mess, and 48 three-bedroom Married Quarters for officers?in Burma Camp. The Mess currently houses 60 living-in officers. The commercial?component will be a joint venture, and the Ghana Army stands to gain?financially from the returns of the venture annually.”
“…. The project on Drake Avenue, Airport Residential Area, is also being?undertaken under a PPP arrangement on a land size of 10 acres. Under a?memorandum of understanding, five acres are to be given to the private?partner and five acres used to construct 20 four-bedroom bungalows, with?two-bedroom out-houses for senior officers. Another 8 three-bedroom?accommodation will be constructed in Burma Camp as part of the project.”
It also noted that the?joint ventures are being undertaken on a value for money basis and are aimed at making maximum use of the land. It is also aimed at preventing encroachment on military lands.
“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to take this opportunity to assure the whole nation, troops and their families, that no lands belonging to GAF have been sold to any private developer. All arrangements were made under formal agreements in consultation with the Armed Forces Council and the Lands Commissions.
It is rather unfortunate that the signatories of the statement for ASISS, all being retired officers, ignored all the avenues available to them to cross check the veracity of their information but rather chose this method to make their concerns known to the Military.”
Source: spyGhana.com
