Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s 153 Armoured Regiment (153 Armd Regt) has held its 2024 West Africa Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA), to celebrate the Regiment’s achievements and successes chalked in 2024, and to leverage on that as a platform for interaction, understanding, and appreciation of the efforts and sacrifices made by Officers, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, families and friends.
The event, which was spiced with inter-Squadron Horse Riding and Tyre Flip competitions, was held on Friday 31 January 2025, at the Mounted Squadron, Medo Lines, Burma Camp, with the Chief Guest being Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Charles James Kpakpo Richter-Addo, (Rtd) of Ghana Military Academy Intake 20, who is also President, Spurs and Sprockets Association.
The Guest of Honour praised 153 Armrd Regt for its professionalism and posture during Operation PEACE TRAIL – Election Security duties in Ghana’s general elections in December 2024 – and encouraged them to continue to be responsive towards their core mandate, remaining loyal to the Constitution of the country at all times.
“Your vigilance and professionalism have contributed immensely to the political stability and the peace the nation is enjoying, which has become a shining example in Africa”, Brig Gen CJK Richter-Addo stated.
He further urged personnel of the Unit to continue to be vigilant, adopt a more proactive posture to ensure deterrence, and maintain the atmosphere of peace and security in Ghana, considering the threats posed by Terrorist Armed Groups and Violent Extremists prevalent in the Sahel Region of West Africa.
Brig Gen Richter-Addo (Rtd) appealed to High Command, to double efforts at equipping the Regiments with more Armoured Fighting and ‘B’ Vehicles to enhance the Brigade’s operational readiness, improve Unit Administration, and to scale-up the state of armoured and soft-skinned vehicles in the Regiment.
In the year 2024, 153 Armd Regt participated in external Peace Operations, as part of 15 Armoured Brigade deployments, and in Internal Security operations such as Operations CALMLIFE, CITADEL, MOTHERLAND, CONQURED FIST, and MAIDA BUURI.
As part of continuous efforts at building capacity of All Ranks, in 2024, 153 Armd Regt conducted a wide range of Individual, Collective and Combined Arms training activities, in fulfilment of the Regiment’s Training Plan for 2024.
Some key training activities undertaken included the Reconnaissance and Surveillance training, Continuation and Regimental Orientation training for newly posted-in Young Officers, Young Soldiers, Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) Leadership Cadre, Trade Proficiency Test, Fire Training, Live Firing Exercises, Pre-Course Cadres for personnel nominated for various courses, and Road Drives.
It also provided training assistance to training institutions such as the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army Combat Training School, Army Peace Operations Training School, and the Ghana Military Academy.
In the area of administration, it undertook some projects and renovations to improve the welfare of personnel, and enhance existing infrastructure in the Regiment, leading to the commissioning of two different Young Soldiers’ Accommodation Blocks – IRONS Block and the RSM BOATENG Block – and commenced a 20-room self-contained single-storey accommodation block at Gondar Barracks.
Painting of office and accommodation facilities, construction of the Ernest Kofi Asimenu Multipurpose Sports Court at Mounted Squadron, installation of automated gate at the Unit main entrance, and maintenance of some old Armoured Vehicles, such as the MOWAGS, Zero Five P (05P) and RATELs – in spite of challenges in acquiring spare parts – were undertaken.
The Commanding Officer (CO), 153 Armd Regt – Lieutenant Colonel David Kwesi Korsah, expressed gratitude to individuals and institutions who supported the Regiment’s WASSA ’24, particularly Dr Ernest Kafui Asimenu & Kofi Asimenu Foundation; Mr Samuel Aning – Chief Executive Officer, Aningsco Building Construction;
Others included Mr Adolph Tetteh-Adjei of Sopholda Ventures Limited; REFLO Company Limited; GHACEM; SUNDA Ghana Limited; Dr Dzidefo Gbewonyo; Fujian Fishing; Fengfan Ghana Limited; and StarLife Assurance Limited, Tema.
Dignitaries present at the function included Brig Gen Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong (Rtd) and Brig Gen GK Adjei (Rtd) – both former COs of the Unit; Deputy Brigade Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade – Col Ekow Nkrane Mensah-Yawson; Senior Officers, COs of various GAF Units, Officers, Unit Regimental Sergeant Major, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, families and friends of the Unit, with music provided by the Black Berets Band.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
