Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s 66 Artillery Regiment (66 Arty Regt) and the Ghana Police Service have completed a one week joint training of personnel across the Volta and Oti Regions of Ghana, under Operations CALMLIFE and PEACE TRAIL; to prepare troops towards Ghana’s general elections.
The one week training of personnel which was also to conduct OPERATION CALMLIFE, to flash out criminal activities that may negatively affect the nation’s upcoming general elections at the fall of 2024, took place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August 2024, at the Nkwanta North Assembly Building Complex at Kpassa, oti Region, and the Volta Barracks in Ho.
In an opening remarks by the Acting Commanding Officer (CO), 66 Arty Regt – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jalali Din Ibrahim, indicated that the objective of the training was to enhance interoperability between the military and the police, revise personnel on standard operating procedures, rules of engagement as well as build trust among the military and the police.
The Acting CO concluded his remarks by admonishing troops to be professional and discipline in the discharge of their duties, and to demonstrate non-partisanship as they remain vigilant and security alert at all times.
In a remark by the Volta Regional Police Commander – Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Andrews Boadu-Ekumah, encouraged troops to work as a team and respect each other’s roles, as the military and the police have distinct roles to play in ensuring security in their various areas of operational responsibility.
The 1 week training of troops enlightened on topics such as media relations, crowd dispersal, voice procedure, Military/Police joint operation, rules of engagement, urban patrolling among others.
The training was climaxed with a simulation exercise nicknamed EX PEACE ANGEL: which depicted a typical polling station set up with voters ready to vote.
The exercise had several scenarios ranging from agitation from voters, armed groups attacking polling stations, stealing of ballot boxes, as well as protests and demonstrations by political activists, due to their disagreements with the preliminary election results among others, and assessed trainees on how they would handle such conflicts during the Election Day.
It also assessed how the police will call for police reinforcement and later request for military assistance when they are overwhelmed, and finally, how the police would hand over to the military and tactically withdraw.
The Acting CO commended the police and own troops for participating in the training and executing the exercise to his expectation.
Credit: 7 GAR DPR DET
