1BN Michel Camp deteriorating; soldiers want immediate renovation

The First Infantry Battalion, which was once an enviable unit of the Ghana Armed Forces, is now in a very deplorable state.

Most facilities and structures have broken down due to lack of maintenance.

The facilities that were put up by Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah has been left to its fate without any form of renovation by successive governments.

A visit by Joy News to the barracks saw almost every structure in a deplorable state.

What is more disturbing is the several unapproved routes linking the barracks (Michel Camp) to other surrounding villages including, Gbetsiley, parts of Ashiaman, Community 22 and Kakasunanka No 1.

Road network within Michel Camp are in very bad shape and does not befit the Ghana Armed Forces which tout itself as a disciplined institution.

Joy News can count at least 16 unapproved routes to the Military barracks.

The land has also been encroached with criminals invading the barracks.

In June this year, more than seven thieves were arrested by the Military Police at Michel Camp, a source disclosed.

They stole items including laptop computers, cell phones; DVD players among other valuables with impunity.

Some of the criminals were minors and were handed over to the police.

Some of the soldiers who spoke to Joy News said their life is in danger because these criminals were bold to carry out their operations even at the Officers Quarters with one Major Nkansah's residence being ransacked and some valuables taken away, a soldier lamented.

The over five decade military facility has a weak medical center which is referred to as the Medical Reception Station (MRS).

Soldiers and their families are no longer patronizing the MRS because they lack modern medical equipment for effective health care. One of the mandate of the MRS is to give quality health care to personnel of the military as well as surrounding villages so as to reduce the pressure on the 37 Military Hospital.

The Medical Reception Station has now become “a white elephant” and soldiers with their families prefer to seek medical attention in private hospitals and clinics in Tema.

Furthermore, soldiers are faced with serious accommodation problems. The quality of most of the buildings in the barracks is nothing but death traps. There are cracks on the walls of most of the buildings a situation that needs serious attention.

Joy news tour of C Company showed damaged sewerage system, which has been there for several months without maintenance. Also, most of the manholes in the barracks are damaged and overflow sometimes in the vicinity and onto the roads, posing health hazards. The situation worsens when there is a downpour.

The newly appointed Commanding Officer at the 1st Infantry Battalion Lt Col Fred Ntri has started a move to put in place measures that will bring some level of order and discipline in the barracks.

As a first step, soldiers who have developed additional structures to the existing ones because of space have been asked to remove them.

What is more pressing is how to deal with the persistent crimes. It is however imperative on the government to embark on massive renovation of the barracks.