Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s 16 Artillery Brigade (16 Arty Bde) has held a Flag-Lowering and Flag-Raising Ceremony to officially rally all of its constituents, promote esprit d’corps and solidarity, create a sense of belonging and shared purpose among personnel, to strive to achieve success.
The ceremony was held at the Obeng Square of the 66 Artillery Regiment (66 Arty Regt), Volta Barracks, Ho, on Thursday, 27 February 2025, with the Guest of Honour being the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command (S/COMD) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Samuel Yeboah Asare.
Brig Gen SY Asare highlighted the importance of Flag-Raising ceremony and its symbolism of unity, patriotism and organizational cohesion.
He also indicated that the important and vital contribution of greater and responsive firepower, together with other benefits to the morale and combat efficiency of the fighting troops of the Artillery Corps, made it imperative for the existing 66 Arty Regt to be expanded to a Brigade.
He further stated that the Brigade has 3 field Artillery Regiments and a training school, hence the need to raise its flag for the necessary recognition, and to soon form the Air Defence component, which would also form another layer of defence for critical National infrastructure.
Brig Gen SY Asare stated that the Military High Command is committed to resourcing the Brigade to perform its duties, both in peace and war times.
He assured the Brigade that with the formation of the 67 and 68 Artillery Regiments, located in the central and northern parts of Ghana, plans are far advanced to procure modern and appropriate weapons and equipment, to resource the Brigade, and to post Officers and Men to fill existing vacancies.
He urged the Brigade Commander, Officers, Soldiers and as well as Defence Civilian Staff to work assiduously towards fulfilling their duties as stated in the Constitution of Ghana.
In his welcome remarks, the Brigade Commander, 16 Arty Regt – Brig Gen Selorm Amengor, expressed gratitude to the Chief of the Army Staff, the Ghana Artillery Officers Association, and Old Gunners Association for their unwavering support, guidance and inspiration.
He continued that their hard work and commitment was what paved way for this new chapter in the history of the Ghana Army.
The Brigade, headquartered at Akoefe in Ho, has Colonel (Col) George Dottey as the Deputy Commander, and comprises of 66 Arty Regt under Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jalali Din Ibrahim; 67 Arty Regt under Lt Col Said Suraj; 68 Arty Regt under Lt Col Larry Kwesi Boateng; and the Artillery Training School under Lt Col Patrick Atuiri.
The ceremony was graced by Mr James Gunu – the Volta Regional Minister; Brig Gen Nicholas Kporku (Rtd) – President of Ghana Artillery Officers Association; Brig Gen Stephen Parbey – Commander, Army Training Command; Brig Gen Ben Gah – Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade; Brig Gen Richard Kinney – Commander, 14 Engineer Brigade; Brig Gen Augustine Asiedu – Director General, International Peace Support Operations;
Others were; Col Kingsley Affrifah – Chief G7, Training, Army Headquarters; Col Ben Boamah – Command Operations Officer, S/COMD; Col Edward Sarpong Appiah – Gender Advisor, General Headquarters, Civilian Establishment; Officers, Regimental Sergeant Major, Soldiers, and Defence Civilian Staff.
Credit: 7 GAR PR DET
