Ghana to acquire two planes from Brazil

Accra, June 2, GNA – President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday announced that Ghana was in the process of acquiring two planes from Brazil that could work in inclement weather and better ensure the safety of passengers.

President Mills made the announcement during an interaction he requested with representatives of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Central Band and a Detachment of the 66 Artillery Regiment at the Castle, Osu, on Monday.

The GAF Central Band and Artillery Regiment played very important roles during the investiture of President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire at Yamoussoukro on May 21.

However, after finishing their assignment, the Ghana Air Force plane carrying them to Ghana could not land and had to fly back to Yamoussoukro, after being airborne for close to two hours. They had to return home the next day.

President Mills thanked them for the significant role they played during the investiture.

The GAF Central Band was under the command of the Lt. Col Francis Kwaku Ennin and the Detachment of the 66 Artillery Regiment was under the command of Corporal Samuel Yaw Essel.

President Mills, who sat next to President Ouattara during the ceremony, said his sitting position at the ceremony was a signal to the whole world on the cooperation between the two sister nations.

He said President Quattara expressed his appreciation for their participation and again when he met him at Abuja, Nigeria, last weekend during the swearing-in of President Goodluck Jonathan, “he came to thank us for sending you there and gracing the occasion”.

“Your performance made us very proud. On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I say a very big thank you for your exceptional performance."

The President, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, upon the request of President Ouattara, directed the participation of the Central Band.

Those at the Castle were included Lt. Col Ennin, Corporal Janet Quadjie, Female Mivurette of the Band and Corporal Essel.

Also present at the meeting were Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith (rtd), Minister of Defence and Lt. Gen. Augustine Blay, Chief of Defence Staff.

GNA