Air Force inaugurates Golden Jubilee House

A US$700,000 two-storey accommodation block, constructed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Ghana Air force, has been inaugurated by the Minister for Defence, Joseph Henry Smith.

The 52 single-room self-contained bedroom building christened “Air Force Golden Jubilee House”, which is meant to accommodate junior ranks of the Ghana Air Force, was constructed with internally generated funds with support from corporate bodies and individuals. Cutting the tape to inaugurate the facility at the Air Force Base in Accra, yesterday, Mr. Smith noted that the building will go a long way to alleviate the accommodation problem of the Ghana Air Force, saying ‘’in this 21st century, there is the need to improve infrastructure at the country’s military set up’’. He asked the authorities at the barracks to keep a good maintenance culture of the building to ensure a longer lifespan and cautioned the intended occupants to avoid “overloading the electrical system” and attend to all leakages from the water system in a timely manner. “To you occupants of this magnificent edifice, I entreat you to take care of the structure. I challenge you to maintain the high standard of this building by keeping your surroundings clean at all times whilst taking good care of the fittings”, he advised, and warned that “under no circumstance should anybody pound “fufu” on the upstairs of the building.” Outlining other measures to address the general accommodation problem facing the Ghana Armed Forces, the Minister said the STX housing project will ease the accommodation problem facing the Armed Forces. He said that upon assumption of office, the Military High Command presented an elaborate strategic plan to the government outlining the tools needed by the military to execute their duties, saying ever since the plan was presented, the government had been putting structures in place to address the changes facing the military. Against this background, the Defence Minister said government had ordered a strategic lift aircraft for the Ghana Air Force for surveillance, explaining the equipment will arrive in the country in the middle of next year. He also said the government had ordered four vessels, two each from China and Germany for the navy which will arrive in the country by the end of this year to patrol the country’s territorial waters to stem piracy.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Michael Samson-Oje, who handed over the keys of the building to the Base Commander, said the block will be allocated to about 104 junior ranks of the Air Force because they face acute accommodation problem. Air Vice Marshall Samson-Oje expressed gratitude to the corporate bodies, mostly oil companies, and individuals who helped to finance the project.

Corporal Nyamekye Alexander, Joseph Sai, a staff of the Engineering Services Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces and Evans Addo Mensah, aNational Service Person, were awarded for their meritorious service on the project. Each of them received a double door fridge and an undisclosed amount.

Source: Ghanaian Times