GHANAIANS URGED TO RESIST ANY FUTURE COUP ATTEMPTS

Lt. Col. Abass

 Lieutenant Colonel Abass Seidu, Commanding Officer of the 66 artillery regiment has called on Ghanaians to resist any attempt by anybody, be it a soldier or a civilian to overthrow any constitutionally elected government.

According to him, the overthrow of governments by soldiers contradicts the military profession since they are obliged to support and be subservient to the government in power.

Lt. Col. Abass Seidu made the call at the launch of the Ghana Armed Forces- Community Relations Week at in Ho on Monday on the theme “The Ghana Armed Forces-Facilitator of Peace and Order for National Development.

He noted that, due to persistent military interference in national politics in the past, the civil-military relations have suffered as the civilian population has perceived the military with extreme suspicion and distrust. He said the celebration of the community relations week is therefore meant to foster the cordial relationship between the military and civilian public in contributing towards the development of the nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Abass Seidu also reiterated the military’s commitment to assisting communities in the region irrespective of the open show of disrespect and provocations by some civilians towards the soldiers. He explained that some youths in the Region were fond of tempting military men on national duty.

Lt. Col. Seidu cited instances of civilians at Aflao and Kete Krachi who often hauled insults and stones at soldiers on patrol.

Lt. Col. Seidu therefore appealed to the media to help deepen civil-military relations in the region.

 L-R, ACP Bedie, Hon. Amenorwode & Lt. Col. Abass

Hon. Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, commended the 66 Artillery Regiment for helping maintain peace and order in the region and advised the military personnel to get more involve in social activities to deepen their relationship with the civilian population.

Hon. Amenowode said unlike the Police and other security services; the military is feared by the public and urged them work more on its ties with civilians and suggested that more social programmes such as civilian-military games be organise to promote effective relationship.

Hon. Amenowode also praised the regiment for rendering community services across the region and urged it to expand those services.

Some activities planned to mark the community relations week are tree planting, medical outreach, donation to inmates of Ho Central Prisons and a route march in Ho.