Kofi Ampeah Woode
’The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama has gracefully commended his Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah for what he termed his ‘impactful leadership’, and for his mobilization of the Army’s own resources, to construct and commission several projects.
The CDS made the commendations when he commissioned a number of projects at the Army Special Operations Training School (ASOTS), Daboya, in the North Gonja District of Ghana’s Savanna Region, to further enhance quality training and administration at the school on Thursday 16 February 2023.
Admiral Amoama said in the last couple of years, through the COAS’ leadership, from Mognori to Bundase, significant projects such as the BK Akafia Peacekeeping Transit Lodge, Young Soldiers’ Accommodations, various accommodation units of Training Schools at Sunyani, Daboya and many other projects that have been completed for the benefit of GAF.
The projects whose inaugural functions took place at ASOTS, Daboya, were the Headquarters Block, Second-In-Command Accommodation, Regimental Aid Post (RAP) and the Unit Square, and an inspection of a unit self-help project of a single room self-contained block for Soldiers, which is under construction.
In a speech, the CDS recalled how upon his maiden tour of Units under 6 Garrison, on 7 April, 2021 funds were provided towards the construction of the Commanding Officer’s accommodation, rehabilitation of the Officers’ and Soldiers’ Mess, and the construction of additional ablution facilities, as part of his Quick-Impact-Projects (QIP), which have all been completed.
An amount of GHS 50,000 donated as seed money for miscellaneous uses, was used by the CO – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Nii Armah Quaye (the first CO of ASOTS which was established in December 2020), rather to commence the expansion of the then 3-room RAP into a 6-room RAP with 2 Admission Wards, courtesy, additional support provided by the COAS and friends of ASOTS.
Additionally, as part of the developmental agenda of the school, funds were released to JKY Construction Ghana Ltd for the construction of a 3-block accommodation unit for staff – a construction which the contractor completed under 4 months.
The Defence Chief informed that some of the 245 assorted vehicles presented in January 2023 by the Commander-in-Chief of GAF – His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – will be deployed to the Unit as part of the Northern Border Security Project, in an effort to maintain peace and stability along Ghana’s northern border.
The CO – Lt Col Quaye, acknowledging the collective efforts of the CDS and the COAS for the various financial support which have led to the completion of various projects at ASOTS, expressed in his welcome address, how gratifying it is to be part of a generation witnessing the current leadership of GAF’s efforts to improve the welfare conditions of All Ranks under command, and to boost operational readiness and effectiveness.
Lt Col Quaye said ASOTS was established as part of the Ghana Army’s expansion drive, in response to the changing security environment of the West African subregion, so as to ensure the peace, security and development of Ghana.
He highly mentioned the Services Integrity Savings and Loans (SISL) Bank, Ghana Highway Authority, Maripoma Ent Ltd, Buipe Wura the District Chief Executive Officer, North Gonja District Assembly – Mr Illiasu Adam and Friends of ASOTS, for supporting the school.
Dignitaries present included Ghana’s National Security Adviser – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Emmanuel Okyere, General Officer Commanding, Northern Command – Brig Gen Matthew Essien, Commander, Army Special Operations Brigade – Brig Gen Barima Brako Owusu, Base Commander, Air Force Base, Tamale – Air Commodore Joshua Mensah-Larkai, Staff Officers from the General Headquarters, Army Headquarters and Northern Command, Formation/Regimental Sergeant Majors, Soldiers and Defence Civilian Staff.
