President John Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a new accommodation project for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) as part of efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel and modernise barracks infrastructure.

The sod-cutting ceremony took place on Friday, January 23, at the forecourt of the Public Relations Department of the Ghana Armed Forces at Burma Camp during the GAF’s end-of-year West African Social Activities (WASSA).

The project forms part of a broader barracks regeneration strategy aimed at modernising housing units at Burma Camp.

Under the plan, existing low-rise structures will be replaced with high-rise residential buildings, a move expected to free up more than half of the current land space within the camp.

The construction is expected to begin with a self-help fundraising exercise scheduled for April this year, which will support the development of an initial 200 housing units at Burma Camp.

As part of the event, President Mahama also handed over a fleet of vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance their operational capacity.

The vehicles included pickup trucks, buses and Land Cruisers.

The ceremony was attended by the Finance Minister and Acting Defence Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, along with other distinguished guests.

Addressing the gathering, President Mahama commended the Ghana Armed Forces for their role in maintaining peace and security in a sub-region facing complex and evolving security challenges.

He noted that Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of stability and democratic resilience is largely due to the professionalism, discipline and sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces.

He said the GAF continues to play a critical role in defending the country’s territorial integrity, supporting civil authorities, providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to national development.

In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, expressed appreciation to President Mahama for his continuous support, encouragement and leadership, which he described as key pillars enabling the Armed Forces to discharge their constitutional mandate effectively.

On behalf of the military high command and personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, he also thanked the government for its commitment to the welfare, operational readiness and capacity-building needs of the military.