The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul and the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun on May 30, cut sod for the construction of nine building projects across four different locations for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The projects are being sponsored by the Chinese government as part of a military aid to improve the infrastructure of GAF.

The projects which will be built by the China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Company Limited (CR5), will be sited at the Army Recruit Training School at Shai Hills, the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor-Sogakope, Air Force Training School at Takoradi and the Battle Training Camp, Bundase.

The projects will provide critical assets to enhance training levels, improve accommodation conditions and meet the operational needs of GAF personnel.

The Defence Minister speaking at the ceremony, stated that the China Military Aid Gratis Project has come at a good time to help GAF in solving its infrastructure needs since GAF will need additional accommodation for 12,000 troops within the next five years.

Mr Nitiwul commended Lu Kun, the Chinese Military and all stakeholders for ensuring the commencement of the projects.

The Chinese Ambassador in his address expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians and Chinese officials
who facilitated the implementation of the projects.

He congratulated the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) as the first Training School in West Africa to receive United Nations (UN) Certification to train personnel for Peace Support Operations.

Lu Kun stated that Ghana was the second country in Sub-Sahara whose diplomatic relations with China have been continuously consolidated and cooperative in various fields.

He revealed that through various means such as Port calls, joint exercises and training, China has
provided strong support to African countries in strengthening National Defence and launched an
assistance programme to help train African Military personnel in the area of Law and Order, UN
Peacekeeping missions, Anti-Piracy and Counter-terrorism.

He further commended Ghana for being ranked in the top 10 Troop Contributing Countries
to UN Missions and expanding its military to defend the nation against internal and external
threats.