Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commissioned for operational use, the Bui Forward Operating Base (FOB), to deliver physical protection, deterrence, rapid reaction to incidents, ensure situational awareness, and effective coordination at all times, against potential threats to the security of the Bui Dam, and its environs.
A commissioning ceremony took place at the newly constructed site at Bui, in the Bono Region, on Thursday 29 February, 2024, with the Deputy Minister for Defence, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma – Mr Kofi Amankwa-Manu, as the Chief Guest, with the Support of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu.
Speaking to the gathered, the Deputy Defence Minister said that, the ideation of an FOB, (which was funded by the Bui Power Authority, when the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah – then COAS – mooted the idea to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPA – Mr Fred Oware), resonated well with the Ministry for Defence’s Strategic direction of GAF’s Expansion Drive, and the projection of force into every corner of the country, to defend Ghana’s territory.
He added that the BUI FOB’s location complemented the network of bases, which had been approved and initiated at the Ministry, regarding the Northern Border Project, and that it being closer to the BUI Dam, brings much comfort to managers of the huge national asset, with regards to security.
He continued to say that the construction of the FOB, which delivers accommodation, offices and other supporting facilities to make the base operational, cost about One Million USD ($1m), and forms Phase I of the entire project, and thus requested the leadership of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), to commence efforts towards funding for Phase II.
The MP furthered that the operations for the entire phase, would serve the collective good of the dam, its environs, the Bono Region, and the whole nation, largely, in the face of insecurity emanating from illegal mining activities at Dollarpower, Dokorkyina and Accratown.
It is always welcoming, Mr Amankwa-Manu said, when state enterprises like the BPA, and other corporate institutions, step in to complement efforts of the government, and the Armed Forces, in fulfilling its mandate, knowing the economic challenges of the last few years, and that the partnership between GAF and the BPA, manifests an excellent relationship, which is an indication of what is possible through Public Private Partnership.
The sod-cutting ceremony for the military base, was done on Thursday April 8, 2021 by the immediate-past CDS of GAF – Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Rtd).
Present at the commissioning included the Bono Regional Minister – Madam Justine Awo Owusu-Banahene; Deputy CEO of BPA – Mr Emmanuel Tandoh; Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, General Headquarters; Brigadier General Owusu-Ababio (Rtd); Management and Staff of BPA; Paramount Chief of Bui, Senior Officers, Officers, Soldiers, and Defence Civilian Staff.
Pictures Credit: Ghana Army PR
