Defence Minister Lauds Addo-Kufuor

Lt. Gen. JH Smith inspecting a guard of honour

The MINISTER of Defence, Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith has commended Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, his predecessor, for initiating the historic Chinese architectural edifice to provide a more congenial working environment for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

“It is proper that I let you know that the process was initiated by the former Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, resulting in this grand edifice,” he said.

He disclosed this at the official opening of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Accra recently.

The $6.75 million project was the result of the ingenuity of Dr. Addo Kufuor who paid a working visit to the People's Republic of China in October 2003 to secure funding for the project.

In executing the project, the Chinese government provided a total amount of $5million while Ghana also provided $1.75million.

It was commissioned in December 2008 by the then President and Commander-In-Chief of the GAF, John Agyekum Kufuor.

Located behind the Ordinance School and adjacent the Aviation Social Centre, the project began in mid November 2007.

It was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) and expertly executed by the Qingdao Construction Group Corporation alongside their Ghanaian counterparts, Amalgamated Group, Winter Dreams Company Ltd, Leefanco Suppliers and the Ghana Armed Forces Directorate of Engineering Services.

Dr. Addo-Kufuor told the press immediately after the building was opened that it took him two years to persuade the Chinese government to execute this project.

He noted that he did this as a selfless servant of Ghana, expressing joy to have been involved in the construction of a building, which befitted the status of GAF.

He insisted that the plaque should be at its original position, adding, “It is prudent that everybody sees the initiators of such a magnificent edifice.”

However, the top floor of the new four-storey office complex would accommodate the Commander-In-Chief, who is also the President, while the Minister, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Commanders occupy the other offices.

In an address, Lt. Gen. Smith noted that “while we operate from this building, we will be working with an expanded vision which will expressly incorporate an international dimension.

“We will be working as a force for good in the region and the world.”

“Peacekeeping work in the five external operational theatres, especially in the challenging business of strengthening post conflict stability would be managed in this building, which has 120 rooms.”   

Post conflict stability, he noted, would require the development of new values for Ghana's bureaucracy, including a latest structure and special training programmes to develop the appropriate human resources.

“For this reason, we will need the collaboration and support of the public sector and academia”, he indicated.

On his part, Vice President John Dramani Mahama noted that the building was a manifestation of a goodwill from the government of the People's Republic of China to Ghana.

“It is a living testimony of the bond of friendship between China and Ghana which is amply captured in stone, concrete, marble and granite for this and future generations,” he observed.

He said the edifice would serve as a fortress, noting, we shall make all our plans and decisions to protect our sovereignty and strategic interests of the nation,” stressing that the building was an attempt to engineer a new image for the MoD to meet future challenges.

“Let me therefore take this opportunity to acknowledge the initiative of the Kufuor administration for starting this project and to reiterate government' commitment to continue with all desirable projects that were started by previous regime,” he emphasised.

Mr. Mahama announced that the military would be equipped with new technologies and strategies.

This, according to him, is to ensure that within the next four years, the efficiency, confidence level and morale of the Armed forces was raised to an enviable height for both internal and external security operations.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Yu Wenzhe pointed out that the building was a Christmas gift to the government of Ghana.

Former ministers and their deputies were presented with gifts for their dedicated services towards the achievements of the GAF.

They included Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Albert Kan-Dapaah, Rear Admiral C.K. Djang, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Dr. Ayirebi Acquah, Dr. Tony Aidoo, Hon. William Ofori Boafo and  Ms. Fidelia Sampedey, who retired recently after serving as a secretary at the Ministry for 33 years.

By Nathaniel Y.Yankson