Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Air Force Base (AFB), Accra of the Ghana Air Force (GHF) has commenced a month-long series of training activities dubbed EX GREEN FLAG, to prepare personnel from various Wings of the Base nominated to support the Electoral Commission and other Security Services, to conduct OPERATION PEACETRAIL 2024 (OP PEACETRAIL ’24).
The opening ceremony of the elections preparations training program, took place at one of the auditoriums of the AFB, Accra, on Tuesday 24 September 2024, with the Base Commander, AFB, Accra – Air Commodore (A/Cdre) Eric Agyen-Frempon, as the Guest of Honour.
The Base Commander reminded his charges of the immense responsibility that rests on the shoulders of security personnel, as guardians of democracy in Ghana, saying that it is part of the duty of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), to ensure that elections are conducted smoothly, fairly, and with the integrity that every Ghanaian deserves.
He furthered that the training exercise represents more than just preparation, but symbolizes the commitment to uphold the principles of democracy, and maintain peace and security during the critical period of elections.
He continued to say that the weeks of training will engage personnel in intensive drills, simulations, and discussions aimed at equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle the challenges that may arise during the electoral process.
A/Cdre E Agyen-Frempon admonished the troops that a successful training exercise hinges on values, such as respect, diligence, and integrity, which must guide their actions not just during the training period, but throughout the election process and beyond, urging them to essentially deal with the public respectfully, affirm their rights, whiles they execute duties with impartiality.
A total of 105 All Ranks of GHF personnel are expected to be trained over the period, and would be divided into 3 syndicates, and be trained on weekly basis for 3 weeks, with some external lecturers getting involved to the nominees on all areas needed to conduct smooth operations, after which the training period would be crowned with a 3-day simulation exercise.
The aim for the 3-day simulation exercise would be to give troops a practical experience on the lessons learnt, and ensure that they are adequately prepared for OP PEACE TRAIL 2024.
Ex Green Flag would be conducted to cover a range of security and defensive duties, including duties at the Guard Points, Picketing Duties, Alert Status Drills, Barracks Defence Drills, Internal Reinforcement Drills, Defence of Key Installations, Crowd Dispersal Drills and Close Quarter Battle Drills.
Present at the ceremony included the Director, Training, Air Force Headquarters – Group Captain Kwabena Krampah Antwi; Commanding Officer (CO), Supply Wing – Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) Ransford Odenkey Abbey; CO, Administration Wing – Wg Cdr Yaw Nsiah-Boakye; and CO, Engineering Wing – Wg Cdr Samuel Oteng Frimpong.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
