Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Air Force, departed from a tradition where the outgoing Chief of the Air Force (CAS) strategically withdraws quietly, and as directed by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), honoured Vice Marshal (AVM) Frank Kofi Hanson (Rtd) with a Half-Guard Ceremonial Parade, at a Handing/Taking Over ceremony, as AVM Frederick Kwasi Bekoe took over as CAS.
A Contingent of 2 Officers, 48 All Rank-and-File was inspected by AVM Hanson (Rtd) at the Forecourt of the Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ), Burma Camp, Accra, on Tuesday 31 January, 2023, as part of his Pulling-Out Ceremony.
The Guest-of-Honour for the occasion – the CDS, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama, making a speech in honour of his retired Service Commander, philosophically said there is a time to assume office and a time to hand over to a new leader, and praised him for availing the resources of the Air Force to all and sundry, in the attainment of Ghana’s national goal.
Admiral Amoama further acknowledged the enormous air support provided under AVM Hanson that led to the success of Exercises Eagle Claws ‘20 and ’21, which he said spurred on the Navy in 2020 to conduct Exercise SeaLion, which is the crossing of the Equator in 2020, a historic milestone.
“He further sustained the Ghana Air Force development in multinational joint exercises by providing air transport support on Ex Flintlock ‘22 in la Cote d’Ivoire and Ex Africa Lion ‘22 in Morrocco, as well as for Ex Obangame Express. Our sense of pride and nationalism were heightened when the Air Force undertook resupplies trips to the Ghana Battalions in South Sudan and The Gambia”, said the CDS.
Admiral Amoama concluded that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ghana Air Force played a key role in performing all manner of operations; such as the distribution of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), carrying people with various health conditions, thus bringing clear visibility of the Ghana Air Force in the national discourse.
A Citation from GAF, read by the Chief of Staff (GOC), General Headquarters (GHQ) – Major General (Maj Gen) Nicholas Peter Andoh, in honour of AVM Frank Hanson (Rtd), read;
“He was commissioned into the Operations Branch of the Ghana Airforce in August, 1990 as part of Regular Career Course Intake 30 after his Basic Military Training in the Algerian Airforce Academy and the Ghana Military Academy.
He completed Junior Staff Course, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Teshie, Ghana, Senior Staff Course, Command Staff College, Jaji Nigeria, War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA, where he graduated with Master of Science (MSc in Strategic Events).
During his 33 years of sterling military career, and before becoming the CAS, AVM Hanson held appointments as Director, Air Operations, Director, Training, Air Force HQ, Acting Base Commander, AFB Tamale, Base Commander, AFB, Takoradi.
As an ardent Peacekeeper, he served in Ethiopia and Eritrea as Military Observer, Strategic Aviation Planner, through the Africa Union Commission in Addis Ababa, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, as Commander, Ghana Aviation Unit 1.
As CAS, AVM Frank Hanson made the Air Force to make giant strides in its ability to respond to operational requirements of the Ghana Armed Forces, through improvement in the material posture, especially servicing of the K8 platforms, by protecting the territorial integrity of Ghana by air.
He ran a transparent administration and had good man-management skills, showed discipline, unquestionable loyalty, and high morale, exhibited by troops under his Command, making their welfare a matter of top priority.
He distinguished himself in terms of infrastructural development during a period of decline of resource availability. Some remarkable projects include the completion of the 4-storey 12 2-bedroom apartments and 4 dormitories, and the Air Force Leadership Academy Complex and a Solar Power Project for the Officers’ Mess, at the Air Force Base, Tamale.
The renovation of the Takoradi Airport Terminal Building, renovation of the V & A Building at the Supply Wing, Takoradi, completion of the abandoned Block A accommodation unit, and the construction of 2 thirty-two accommodation Units at Air Force Base, Takoradi. Renovation of the Kotei Hangar, and the Base Sports Complex at the Air Force Base, Accra.”
Dignitaries present at the parade included the Chief of the Naval Staff – Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, General Officer Commanding, Southern Command – Maj Gen Michael Ayisi Amoah (who deputized for the Chief of the Army Staff) Commandants of Ghana Military Academy and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre – Maj Gen Charles Abede Awity and Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane, respectively, Formation Commanders, Senior Officers, Officers, Sergeant Majors, Family and friends and representatives of corporate institutions.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
