Kofi Ampeah Woode
The first Commanding Officer (CO) of Ghana Army’s 10 Mechanized Battalion (10 Mech Bn) – Colonel (Col) Francis Kwasi Gyimah has completed his 3 years tour of duty, and successfully handed over the Command of 10 Mech Bn (affectionately called the HIPPOS), to Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Godfred Asampong.
Col Gyimah, who is now designated Director for Training, Defence Intelligence (DI), General Headquarters (GHQ), handed over the 10 Mech Bn, at a parade at the Battalion’s Headquarters, Wa, Upper West Region on Friday 15 September, which had the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Operations & Training – Major General (Maj Gen) Joseph Adoko Aphour, as Special Guest, and Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Matthew Kweku Essien – General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, as Guest of Honour.
Col Gyimah, who took Command of 10 Mech Bn – created in the Ghana Army on 18 June, 2020 – from 18 September 2020, successfully led the Unit to participate in Operations CALMLIFE, HALT II, DESERT ROCK, PEACE TRAIL, SITDOWN LOOK, GONGONG, CONQUERED FIST, and sometimes BOAFO (in support of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
Some completed projects undertaken during his tenure, to enhance facilities in providing a conducive environment for Officers, Soldiers and Defence Civilian Staff, and boost morale include: (a) Renovation of 2 accommodation blocks at the old Residency for the CO and Second-In-Command (2IC); (b) Renovation of 3 accommodation blocks at the new Residency for Warrant Officers Class 1s (WOIs) and Soldiers;
There also are (c) Unit Main Gate; (d) Beautification of the Unit frontage; (e) Modern Quarter Guard platform, Sentry Post and Guardroom; (f) Unit Totem to kindle the spirit of the Unit; (g) Hippo Mess for troops, to serve as entertainment Centre; (h) 10 Medical Reception Station with Dispensary and Laboratory; (i) Tailoring shop and barbering shop for all ranks to access for free.
Moreover, the CO’s leadership provided (j) DSTV Television service for all Unit Forward Detachments, and the Battalion HQ; (k) Snooker and other indoor games for troops; (l) Unit volley ball court; (m) CCTV cameras at the Battalion HQ; (n) Constant flow of water within the barracks due to expansion works, with huge water reservoirs and pumping machines;
The Unit also completed a (o) Motor Transport Yard, Petroleum Oil Lubricants (POL) Point, Unit Armoury and Magazine; (p) Unit Corps of Drums with modern instruments, with 29 soldiers; and initiated the installation of a separate transformer for the Unit to solve the problem of power fluctuation, with the assistance of the Regional Minister – Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, and the Ministry of Energy.
Present at the ceremony included the Upper West Regional Minister – Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, Senior Officers, Regional Security Council Members, Officers, Acting Regimental Sergeant Major, Soldiers, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Defence Civilian Staff, family and friends.
