Kofi Ampeah Woode
A change of command ceremony was held at Headquarters (HQ), Southern Command (S/COMD) of the Ghana Army to formally transfer Powers of Command and responsibility from Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Samuel Yeboah Asare as General Officer Commanding (GOC), to Brig Gen Isaac Nicholas Paintsil.
The ceremony on Thursday 08 May 2025, also served as Brig Gen SY Asare’s final ceremony in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), as he retired from active service after 35 years of serving the colours.
During his tenure as the 27th GOC from November 2023 to April 2025, Brig Gen Asare improved upon the efforts of his predecessors and carried the command to greater professional heights, with positive results in the administrative and operational tasks undertaken by the Command.
He added that through collective efforts, the Command attained a high standard of operational readiness and esprit de corps, and commended troops of the Command for their untiring efforts, dedication to duty and high standard of professionalism exhibited over the period, and urged All Ranks to uphold the spirit of excellence which the Command is noted for.
For his part, Brig Gen IN Paintsil extolled Gen Asare for his mentorship and friendship, dating back to their time at the Ghana Military Academy, describing him as an affable General and a competent leader.
He congratulated his predecessor for his sterling performance during his tour of duty through his commitment to duty and demanded higher levels of loyalty, cooperation, professionalism and dedication to duty from Staff Officers and troops to ensure success, as he takes over Command.
The handing/taking over ceremony was preceded by other significant activities including a special Quarter Guard, in honour of the incoming GOC, operational and administrative briefings by key appointment holders, one on one interactions between the two Generals and a tour of the command HQ.
S/COMD has Operational Control over seven of the sixteen Administrative Regions of Ghana.
Credit: PR DET, S/COMD
