Minister of Defence advises soldiers not to intimidate voters

Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd), Minister of Defence, on Wednesday called on the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to refrain from acts that would intimidate or deter voters from exercising their franchise on December 7.   Addressing a durbar of officers, men and civil employees of the Third Infantry Battalion at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, he said soldiers should rather arrest those who would foment trouble and hand them over to the police for prosecution.      Lt. Gen. Smith was on a day's visit to inspect some on-going and completed projects at the garrison and assess the operational readiness of the military towards the election.      He explained that GAF was engaged to support the police to ensure an atmosphere of peace and stability before, during and after Election 2012 and advised the personnel to comport themselves well.    Lt. Gen. Smith expressed appreciation of the high level of discipline and professionalism within GAF and was hopeful that they would maintain such behaviour at the various polling stations.      "As soldiers you are aware of the benefits of national peace, security and stability," he told the soldiers and expressed the confidence that they would work to the admiration of all and sundry.      Lt. Gen. Smith said the collaboration between GAF and the police as well as other security agencies in crime fighting was laudable and was optimistic that such collaboration would continue to work before and beyond Election 2012.    He commended GAF for the role they played during the burial of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and  Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.      Lt. Gen. said the Government would endeavour to address the peculiar needs of GAF especially accommodation and improve provision of water supply at the various garrisons.       Earlier, the Minister of Defence held a closed door meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Kobla Lithur, the Garrison Commander and other officers.

GNA