72-seater conference hall for Defence Mechanical Transport Battalion inaugurated
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General William Ayamdo, yesterday commissioned a 72-seating capacity conference hall for the Defence Mechanical Transport Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp in Accra.
The facility which would be later expanded to 82-seating hall has a conference room, two offices to house the GAF’s vehicle tracking systems, four washrooms, a store room and a projectable facility suitable for training conferences, seminars, church services and durbars.
Speaking at the event, Maj. Gen. Ayamdo said the essence of the facility was for training and also to provide a comfortable place to discuss issues about GAF in order to move it beyond its current status.
He said government was making effort to give GAF infrastructure out of its limited funds and it was therefore essential for the force to judiciously use its resources in projects which could last longer and serve GAF effectively.
He was of the view that “personnel of GAF tend to do things for themselves rather than thinking of the common good of the service.”
Major General Ayamdo said it was also important for officers of GAF to subject itself for accountability.
He said he had read some unpleasant comments on social media about commanding officers who handle the accounts of contributions made when they go for operations.
He said officers were accused of using the monies for their personal benefits adding that “so when you are putting up these things, you need to subject yourself to accountability to let everybody who is under our command know how the monies were spent.”
The Chief of Army Staff said when that was done; everyone would be satisfied with work done.
The Commanding Officer of the Defence Mechanical Transport Battalion, Lt Col Mohammed Wumbei said the need for all ranks to have an assembly place for durbars and other administrative duties was very important.
According to Lt Col Wumbei, until the completion of the edifice, his outfit used to have unit trainings, durbars and other events under the unit vehicle shed which were always distracted by movement of vehicles and noise within the yard.
He said in view of this the decision was taken to convert an old dilapidated lubricant store to an edifice conducive for all purposes with seed money from the sale of the unit’s welfare bus.
Lt Col Wumbei stated that the unit also received support from individuals and corporate bodies to ensure the completion of the project.
He therefore urged the staff of GAF to make good use of the facility while ensuring its proper care and maintenance.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
