DONT USE SKILLS TO INTIMATE CIVILIANS (PAGE 29)

Newly trained naval recruits have been told not to use the skills and knowledge they acquire during training to intimidate civil society.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, who made the call at the passing out ceremony for naval recruits at the Western Naval Command said: “In your career as military personnel, you may come under a lot of pressure and temptation to assist friends or other acquaintances to accomplish their private ambitions.”
He said some of the temptations included the collection of private debts, harassment and molestation of innocent civilians, and advised the recruits that they were not private debt collectors, and that they must not allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals for their own selfish purposes.
The regional minister urged the recruits not to also use their uniforms to intimidate, molest, extort or act in a manner that would put fear in the very people the military had been constitutionally mandated to protect.
He said it was an indisputable fact that the country had enjoyed a long period of stability and peace, which had translated into the progress and development which had attracted international attention among the comity of nations.
“Our democratic culture needs to be consolidated to make it possible for more socio-economic developments to reach all corners of our dear country at a faster rate,” he said.
To achieve that, the minister said, as naval personnel, they could contribute in a big way by remaining vigilant and loyal to the Constitution, the government and the Ghana Armed Forces.
He said the navy was expected to intensify its patrol in the near future due to the country’s oil discovery and exploitation. “With this the navy can only meet these challenges with improved human resource and the government was also doing everything possible to equip the navy to carry out their duties.”
The minister commended the recruits for their smart turnout and display of skills and readiness to help protect mother Ghana.
In all , 99 recruits passed out, and four who distinguished themselves during training were presented with awards.