TRUST THE ARMED FORCES
The Ghana Armed Forces has won a name for itself as a well-oiled and disciplined security machine in Africa.
As a respected institution, it has distinguished itself in diverse ways, particularly regarding its core military functions and other operations internally and externally.
Eternally, Ghana's image is soaring high on the horizon of peace-keeping operations as a result of the visible discipline, dedication and commitment to duty exhibited by our gallant soldiers as true ambassadors of the Republic of Ghana.
It is precisely with this hard earned reputation at the back of our minds that the Ghanaian Times is surprised at the turn of events at the military's own backyard — the revered 37 Military Hospital.
We are referring to the spate of burglaries at this reputable hospital which, otherwise has become a synonym for medical efficiency, what with its efficient personnel and impeccable service delivery.
Just last Wednesday (June 10, 2009), a V.W Golf saloon car parked near the Men's Surgical Ward (Anoff Ward) of the hospital was broken into at about 9 .00pm.
The thieves stole many items from the car, including a bag full of medicines sent from abroad for the treatment of a patient who had just been operated upon.
And at the frontage of the Children's Ward (Nkrumah Ward), the thieves broke into a Mercedes Benz car and escaped with GH¢2,000 and very important documents.
Strangely, when the military security were contacted, a Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) stated angrily:
“You park there at your own risk. Nobody is responsible for your security.” That, for us, sounds like a notice pasted at the car park of Accra's luxury hotels.
Anyhow, even if the thefts at the car parks can be explained away, whatever could have happened to the name of security, that thieves can enter the wards of a military hospital to pilfer!
Only last Saturday (June 13) a mobile phone belonging to a soldier with the rank of Major on admission at the Anoff Ward was stolen at his bedside at about 5.30 am.
The theft took place right inside a side-ward.
And at the Intensive Care Unit, a prominent person recently lost a laptop, 1, 800 euro and GH¢60 to the unidentified thieves.
On Sunday morning (June 14, 2009) a lady who visited her husband on admission was not spared either. Her pick-up vehicle parked between the Yaa Asantewaa and Anoff Wards was broken into in broad daylight.
The thieves carried away medicines meant for her husband who was on admission.
The question that readily comes to mind is: whom should we suspect? The Times finds its difficult to write off the feeling that in its investigations, the hospital administration would not always have to look far. Intelligence sources contacted by the Times thinks that the cleaners, the orderlies, patients and indeed all those being permanently accommodated at the hospital should be thoroughly quizzed.
We refuse to believe that this security situation at the hospital is beyond the intelligence capabilities of Ghana's military administration. In the military are some of the sharpest intelligence brains in the country. We believe that all it takes is for the authorities to begin to address its attention to the challenge.
The image of the military is at stake. This is an institution which, internally and externally, is literally venerated for its visible achievements. For such an institution to sit idle for frequent burglaries to soil its reputation beats the imagination of many a Ghanaian.