Set up Female Desk At GAF - Chief of Staff

By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has appealed to the Military hierarchy to create a special female desk within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to exclusively see to female related issues.

This, she explained would enhance the performance of females in the Service and influence policies that would remove barriers in female recruitment and advancement.

Madam Osei- Opare said these at an all-female parade held on Friday at the Burma Camp in Accra which was under the theme "the female soldier at 60 and counting -increasing female participation in the military."

At the event, Madam Osei-Opare inspected the parade with the Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, his Deputy, Major Derrick Oduro and service Chiefs of the force.

The all female contingent at the parade drove armour vehicles, rode on horses, flew aircrafts and had a drill display to the admiration of all dignitaries and civilian staff of GAF present.

Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Osei-Opare said records had it that Ghana had contributed a significant percentage of female peacekeepers that was close the United Nations (UN) recommended quota.

"Our women are deployed and gallantly performing peace support operations in Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Mali and the Central African Republic either as observers or as part of formed troops," she said.

She indicated that the attainment of the UN recommended quota would have political willpower and budgetary implications which the government was obliged to discharge.

She said the turnout and drill displayed by the all- female contingents were indicative of their readiness to partner their male counterparts in the maintenance of peace and security.

According to the Chief of Staff the actions of the women should not be perceived to be competing for dominance but rather as complementary to their male counter parts .

She urged the women in GAF to work cohesively with their male counterparts

Madam Osei-Opare assured them that government would continue to support GAF to attain the recommend quota adding that it would be done within a wider frame of making the Armed Forces vibrant and responsive to national and international obligations.

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