Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Ghana Air Force has cut sod for the construction of a modern Mess for its Warrant Officers (WOs) and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs), which will be funded by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), to foster a sense of community and belonging, for morale, mental health and general well-being among the WOs and S-NCOs.
Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama, who was the Guest of Honour for the event, broke the ground for the construction, which replaces an old one at the Air Force Base (AFB), Burma Camp, Accra, on Tuesday 2 May 2023.
Admiral Amoama stated unequivocally that undoubtedly, WOs and S-NCOs are a vital component of GAF, as they provide expert advice, guidance and leadership in various fields and trades, hence, providing a Mess where they can come together, share experiences, build relationships and maintain comradeship is non-negotiable.
He continued that Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs have played a vital role in defending Ghana’s freedom and preserving the people’s way of life, whiles they have made great sacrifices to ensure that citizens enjoy the freedoms that are often taken for granted.
Delivering his welcome remarks, the Base Commander, AFB, Accra – Air Commodore (A/Cdre) Eric Agyen-Frempong said the old Mess had served its purpose all these years, however, with the increasing number of its members and also in line with the CAS’ vision, it has become necessary for Command to tackle not only the accommodation deficits, but to also make the Messes more congenial.
He said the ultra-modern edifice, which was designed and whose construction will be supervised by Lieutenant Colonel Albert Tekyi – Deputy Director, Engineering Services, General Headquarters, will revive the tradition and Mess-life of personnel, and also serve as an avenue for income generation.
Present at the event included the CAS – Air Vice Marshal Frederick Bekoe, Chief Staff Officer, Air Force – Air Commodore DA Akrong, Air Officers, Senior Officers, Officers, Executives of the Retired Airmen Association, Master Air Warrant Officer, Base Warrant Officer, Airmen, and Defence Civilian Staff.
