Kofi Ampeah Woode
Seventy-three (73) Ghanaian Officer Cadets (O/Cdts) of Ghana Military Academy (GMA) Short Service Commission and Special Duty (SSC/SD) Intake 61, have been granted the President’s Commission into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), by the President of the Republic, and Commander-in-Chief (C-In-C) of the military.
The C-In-C – His Excellency (HE) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, granted his final constitutionally mandated President’s Commission of his tenure, on the occasion of the Graduation Parade of SSC/SD Intake 61, at the Ranger Baba Square of GMA, Teshie Ridge, Accra, on Friday 22 November 2024, where he was the Reviewing Officer (RO).
76 Cadets (55 males and 21 females) reported for training on Thursday 13 June 2024, with 35 for Army, 15 for Navy, and 26 for Air Force.
They were schooled for the period in Tactics, Map Reading, Navigation, Combat Operations, team work, endurance, day, night and rugged cross-country operational abilities, Basic Fitness Tests (BFT), Academics, Withdrawal and Deliberate Attacks, Commanding Rifle Platoons within a Combat Team, all phases of Conventional Warfare, competitive spirit, mastering tactical Manoeuvres, and Leadership complexities.
These lessons were taught through Exercises NIGHT REACH, COMPASS ROUTE, RIGHT PATH, SHORT HAUL, JUNGLE NOVICE, ABURI DISCOVERY, REVERSE THRUST, HARD LINER, in the savannah, jungle, hilly, maritime and aerial spaces of Ghana.
As part of efforts to streamline and enhance training schedules, GMA focused the 2024 graduation exclusively on SSC/SD cadets in entering the noble profession of arms, underscoring the academy’s adaptability and commitment to efficiency.
HE the RO asserted in his address delivery that, the constitutionally mandated responsibility to protect Ghana’s sovereignty and defend the nation against all forms of threats, necessitates the cultivation of leaders of integrity, courage and vision into GAF.
He added that the cultivation of character, and lessons imparted (which include loyalty, empathy, honor, integrity, discipline, strategic planning and patriotism) to the new Officers, will serve as the bedrock of their careers, guiding them in service to Ghana.
“Remember that the most noble actions are born of duty and conviction, and it is by these principles that your service will be measured”, the C-In-C charged.
He thus reminded them of the unpredictability and dynamism of the security landscape in the West African sub-region, citing issues such as the threat of environmental degradation through illegal mining, southward movement of terrorism from the Sahel towards littoral countries, which he described as complex and multifaceted.
To GAF in general, he charged to thus remain vigilant, adaptable and prepared to confront these evolving threats with resolve, as his administration has embarked on the progressive expansion of the armed forces, ensuring a military presence across all 16 Administrative Regions.
To the new Officers, he concluded, “You are now custodians of this noble tradition. As Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, you will be called upon to serve with integrity, lead with vision, and inspire with courage. Carry the hopes and aspirations of our nation with you, and let your service reflect the highest ideals of our Armed Forces”.
At the Awards; The Ultimate Award – CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF AWARD – presented to the Best Cadet in the SSC/SD Intake, who registered good academic performance, a high standard of leadership, and was adjudged first in order of merit – was won by JUNIOR UNDER OFFICER YARO MOHAMMED KEYLAN.
BEST IN TACTICS AWARDS – presented to the O/Cdt with an in-depth understanding and application of military tactics in all practical field exercises during the training period – was won by CADET CORPORAL WUNI ISABEL NADIA.
The COMMANDANT’S AWARD – presented to the O/Cdt who performed well in a particular field as determined by the Commandant, GMA – was won by CADET SERGEANT GYAMFI SAMUEL AMEYAW.
Present at the event included the Minister for Defence, and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla – Mr Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul; the Chief of the Defence Staff – Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah; Chief of the Army Staff – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona; Chief of the Naval Staff – Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu; Air Commodore Eric Agyen-Frempon – representing the Chief of the Air Staff – Air Vice Marshal Frederick Bekoe;
Others included Heads of other Security Services; the Chief of Staff, General Headquarters – Maj Gen Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu; Commandants of GAF Institutions; Acting Commander, GMA – Brigadier General Charles Agyemang-Prempeh; Senior Officers, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major – Master Warrant Officer Addo Daniel; Service Sergeant Majors, Command and Regimental Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, family and friends.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
