Ghana Army’s Northern Command (N/COMD) has held its maiden Lanyard Presentation Parade for the 93 Signal Regiment (93 Sig Regt), to mark the culmination of six months of rigorous continuation training for the first batch of 75 Soldiers, who were posted to the Unit in February 2024.
The parade was held at the Kamina Barracks, Tamale, on Wednesday 25 September 2024, with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), N/COMD – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Frank Nartey Tei, as the Reviewing Officer (RO), assisted by the Base Commander, Air Force Base, Tamale – Air Commodore (A/Cdre) Joshua Mensah-Larkai.

In his address, the GOC praised the Regiment as one which was established not so long ago, but has made significant strides in training, unit development, and providing support to the Command.
He said the 6 months training was designed to enhance the Young Soldiers’ professional outlook, broaden their understanding of the Unit’s roles, customs, and traditions, and prepare them for their roles as Signallers, with lessons taught including voice procedure, navigation, unit traditions, and operations in the Northern Frontiers of Ghana.

Providing some narrative on military antecedents, General Tei said lanyards have a rich history in the military, dating back to ancient times, when initially, they were practical tools used to secure essential items like weapons, swords, and daggers, allowing for quick access during combat.
He said in contemporary times, lanyards are often used for identification purposes, and to hold small items like whistles or keys, and are worn on specific uniforms to signify regimental affiliation, as is done as part of the Ghana Army’s dress regulations.

For the colour of Signal Corps’ lanyard, Brig Gen Tei said it is to signify the Corps’ historical connection with the United Kingdom’s Royal Engineers Corps, from whom the Corps of Signals was birthed, and that collectively, these symbols represent the Unit’s ability to provide reliable communication across the domains of Air, Sea, and Land.
In addition to it being a sign of royalty, he continued, forebears of the Corps believed that, hanging it on the right provides quicker access to tools and equipment unique to the Signal Corps, as the patch on the left arm is the unit’s emblem, which comprises the Signal Colours of Air-blue, Sea-blue, Green, and the Greek Messenger god Hermes, also known as Mercury by the Romans.
Brig Gen FN Tei used the occasion to remind all Ghana Army personnel in his domain that from Tuesday 1 October 2024, personnel shall be wearing the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) – the new camouflage – however, no lanyard will be worn on the BDU.

He further announced the commencement of a week-long training program for selected personnel of the Unit, by a four-man training team from the United States of America (USA), who will train in the use of a number of Vesper Drones donated by the US Government, to support operations in Units within N/COMD, with 93 Sig Regt, being responsible for training and supervising their operations.
He added that subsequent training sessions would also be organized for another batch of 30 soldiers by the fall of October, and that continuous education and training are essential to maintaining operational readiness, and ensuring that the Command is capable to meet challenges with confidence and competence, as new drone technologies enhance military capabilities.
Present at the parade included the Command Operations Officer, Command Logistics Officer, Commanding Officers of 93 Signal Regiment, 69 Airborne Force, 6 Infantry Battalion, Senior Staff Officers, Officers. Regimental Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, and Defence Civilian Staff.
Credit: N/COMD ADMIN