Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama, has launched a Catering Services venture for the Defence Civilian Staff (DCS), to support the finances of the Civilian Establishment.
The DCS’ Catering Services endeavor was inaugurated on Thursday 7 December, 2023, at the forecourt of the Civilian Establishment, Burma Camp, Accra, and is expected to pave the way for other income generating services that will go to enhance the financial status of the establishment, which works under the General Headquarters (GHQ) of Ghana’s Military.
At the launch, the CDS lauded the services provided by the DCS, which has over ten thousand (10,000) plus size of skilled persons who perform various functions, such as providing clerical, mechanical, engineering, administrative, catering, janitorial services, etc., as auxiliary staff in support of GAF, since its inception in the 1950s.
Describing the setup as an integral component of GAF, Admiral Amoama said its personnel have worked and continue to work in critical and sensitive offices, with certain aspects of their output generating revenue elsewhere, however, the idea was conceived a few months ago, to establish a catering service manned by DCS, to generate funds for their own welfare.
He further stated that the venture is in line with his intent for Units and Departments to generate Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for the day-to-day running of GAF’s respective Units and Departments, and to support Welfare schemes, as well as prepare personnel towards retirement, as those who will be equipped with the skills, could venture into private catering services.
Citing a successful food bazaar organized by the DCS in September 2023, the CDS said it proved their capabilities to provide a service that rivaled those offered by established catering services in the industry, as their skills have an already existing market, both within and outside GAF.
He said after consulting, observing the DCS’ entrepreneurial skills through its filtered drinking water production, the submission of a viable business plan, and being informed that the DCS was to take over the management and running of its staff canteen, he decided to sponsor the setting up of the venture, with the required initial seed money.
Present at the event, which was also used as the 2023 edition of the West African Soldiers’ Social Activities (WASSA), were representatives of GAF’s Service Chiefs, the Director General, Civilian Establishment – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Anita Asmah; Director General, Department of Public Relations – Brig Gen Eric Aggrey-Quashie; Director General, Legal – Brig Gen Benjamin Amoah-Boakye; Senior Officers, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major, Soldiers and DCS personnel.
