Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s 155 Armoured Regiment (155 Armd Regt) has held a handing/taking over ceremony for its Commanding Officer (CO) – Colonel (Col) Philemon Adotey Hoffman to hand over command to Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Peter Afreh.
The handing/taking over ceremony, which also transitioned into the Unit’s West Africa Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA), was held on Thursday 23 January 2025 in Damango, in the Savannah Region.
Another highlight of the day was the commissioning of projects, which included a Regimental Aid Post (RAP) to cater for the health needs of troops, an ultra-modern Post Exchange (PX) Complex comprising a Barbering Salon, Laundry, Tailoring Shop, a Grocery Store, Mini Bar, and the launch of a dance band named the ‘Northern Irons Band’.
Other projects completed during the tenure of the Outgone CO include a Pergola for troops’ relaxation, POL Point office structure, renovated kitchen, and the setup of a kraal for the Regiment.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command (N/COMD) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Frank Nartey Tei, who represented the Chief of the Army Staff, Ghana Army – Lieutenant General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, as the Guest of Honour, highlighted the significant contributions of the 155 Armd Regt to the security of the Northern Sector and the Region at large particularly, during the recent elections.
He also commended troops for their effective collaboration with other security services in addressing the security concerns in the Region, and attributed these achievements to the selfless leadership of Col PA Hoffman, and the dedication of the Regiment’s troops.
Brig Gen FN Tei congratulated the Col Hoffman for his well-deserved promotion, commended him for his role in the growth of the unit, and his efforts in spearheading the projects that were commissioned.
The GOC praised the professionalism, discipline and commitment of the troops, urging them to extend the same support to the new CO – Lt Col P Afreh, as he charged him to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessors.
He noted the accommodation challenges confronting troops and assured them of the resolve of Ghana’s Military High Command (MHC) to address them, and by that announced that two dormitory accommodation blocks currently under construction, are expected to be completed within the next few months, to ease the accommodation constraints.
In his farewell address, Col Hoffman thanked the Almighty God for the successful completion of his tenure, extended his gratitude to the MHC for their support, and welcomed Lt Col Afreh, urging All Ranks and various sponsors of the Unit, to support his command for the success of the Regiment.
Present at the event included the 6 Garrison Commander, and Commander, Air Force Base, Tamale – Air Commodore Joshua Mensah-Larkai; Deputy Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade – Col Nkrane Mensah-Yawson; Senior Officers, COs, Officers, Heads of the Security Services in the Region, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, traditional rulers, families, and friends of the Regiment.
Credit: 6 GAR PR DET
