Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s 5 Infantry Battalion (5Bn) has constructed and commissioned a sports complex to promote esprit de corps among all ranks of the “Pink Lions” – as personnel of the Unit are affectionately referred to.
The commissioning ceremony for the impressive sports facility took place on Monday 12 May 2025, with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command (S/COMD) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Isaac Nicholas Paintsil standing in for the Chief of the Army Staff – Major General Lawrence Gbetanu, as the Guest of Honour.
The complex comprises of a 7-aside astro-turf Soccer pitch, a Volleyball court, and a Basketball/Tennis court, and was constructed with labour from personnel of the Unit.
The outgoing Commanding Officer (CO) of the Unit – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Kwame Owusu-Afriyie said the facility is a testament to the Unit’s commitment to community well-being, and a symbol of hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for the Officers and Soldiers of the Pink Lion family.
He further expressed his expectation of the use of the sports complex as a place of inspiration for growth, where personnel of the Unit can forge connections and build a stronger community.
Narrating the origins of the complex, he spoke of how staff of the Mechanical and Transport (MT) yard were earmarked to use the location as car park, however, upon second thoughts, the land was utilized for the sports facility.
Commissioning the complex, General Paintsil, who commended Lt Col Owusu-Afriyie for completing the project in record time, urged 5Bn to freely grant access for their neighbours from 153 Armoured Regiment and 64 Infantry Regiment, to inspire togetherness and good health.
The construction was supported by Humano Pharmacy, Adom Real Estates, Bawa Rock Company Limited, Alhaji Tawfik, and Hisense Ghana Limited.
Present at the event included Brig Gen Omari John Ampadu – Assistant Commandant, Training and Doctrine Command; Col Clement Dingane – Command Operations Officer, Support Services Command; Col Henry Gbadasu – Chief Coordinator, Ghana Boundary Commission; and Col Prince Tandoh – Chief Coordinator, Army Training Command;
Others were; Lt Col David Korsah – CO, 153 Armoured Regiment; Lt Col Prosper Adabla – incoming CO, 5Bn; Lt Col Twumasi – CO, 41 Defence Signal Regiment; Lt Col Joseph Luri – CO, Base Workshop; Lt Col Jamal-Ddin Bamie – CO, 64 Infantry Regiment; Regimental Sergeant Major, 5Bn –Senior Warrant Officer II Kamaldeen; Officers, Soldiers, Reverend Thomas Addo of the Arakan Methodist Presbyterian Church; Defence Civilian Staff, and spouses of soldiers.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
