The staff of the Ministry of Defence have received assurance that issues relating to their welfare and work would receive the needed attention from government. 

They have therefore been advised to feel free to bring up their concerns for the appropriate action by management. 

Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul gave the assurance Monday when he spoke at his first staff durbar since he took office at the beginning of February. 

Mr Nitiwul reminded the staff that the Ministry of Defence is not "Siberia" and since government was changing focus on the Ministry, staff concerns and interests would be duly addressed. 

He told the staff that since assuming office as minister and "head servant" at the Ministry, it is important for him to get to know the staff he has to work with.

He said success resulted from a collective effort and called for team work as he and them worked together to serve the people of Ghana.

While appreciating the warm welcome he received from the staff on arrival at the Ministry, Mr Nitiwul commended them for working well under difficult conditions and sacrificing a lot for the country and the Ghana Armed Forces.

He promised to work towards providing them with training opportunities (both home and abroad) to uplift their knowledge base to enable them to play their role as major supervisors of the Defence sector. 

He also assured them that they could benefit from efforts underway to retool and improve the working and living conditions in the Armed Forces.

The Defence Ministry reiterated government's plan to build a third military hospital in Tamale, renovate the 37 Military Hospital, enhance support to peacekeeping troops and embark on a barracks regeneration programme to improve and increase housing in the military.  

He has, however, advised the staff to be punctual to work, be decorous in their language, desist from engaging in unacceptable conduct and to use approved channels in seeking visas to foreign countries.

He took the opportunity to answer some questions from the floor where the staff pledged their commitment and support to the Minister during his tenure.

In attendance were the Chief Director, Evans A Dzikum and some senior military and civilian staff at the Ministry.