Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has congratulated the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for safeguarding and preserving the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and ensuring the excellence and prosperity of China.
A message read on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), GAF – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah, by the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), Operations and Training – Major General (Maj Gen) Joseph Aduko Aphour, so stated at a reception held on Friday 19 July 2024, at the residence of the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, commemorating the 97th Anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
GAF’s Military High Command also took the opportunity to honour and remember soldiers of the PLA who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty and good order of the PRC, and high-mentioned the warrior spirit of all Officers and Soldiers serving in the Chinese PLA.
It recalled that the friendship between GAF and PLA originated from the leaders of the older generation of the two (2) Armed Forces, and said that the relationship is a valuable asset that should be inherited and developed, as a close and cordial affiliation which has been mutually enjoyed for quite a long time.
The message also cited the establishment of Defence Attaché Offices in each other’s country as a testimony of collective effort to strengthen bilateral relations, which has further translated into significant infrastructure, equipment, training and other support with profound impact on GAF.
It finally expressed expectation to further strengthening and enhancing the friendly bonds between the Chinese PLA and GAF for mutual good, peace, stability and military cooperation for development in the West Africa/Africa region, and the world at large.
Friendship between the two militaries has deepened of recent times with Senior Military leaders cross-attending important international conferences organized by each other; Ghana’s Defence Minister, together with the recent past CDS – Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Rtd) attending the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing;
Similarly, General Xu Qiling attended the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Accra, and Real Admiral (R/Adm) Du Gang participated in GAF’s International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEC) in 2023.
PRC has granted military aid to GAF in the form of constructing training facilities, which are expected to be completed and commissioned in 2024; there has been an increase in training opportunities for GAF in 2024; Ghana has purchased a number of 122 multiple rocket launcher systems from China; Chinese Naval ships paid a visit to Tema in 2023, and courtesy calls to some training institutions of GAF.
In his commemorative anniversary speech, the Defence Attaché of the PRC Embassy in Accra – Colonel (Col) Song Jun stated that almost a century ago, the Chinese nation was at a life-or-death moment, until the Nanchang Uprising in 1927 marked the beginning of the independent armed struggle led by the Communist Party of China, and the founding of the armed forces which later became the PLA.
Over the past 97 years, Col S Jun said, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese PLA embarked on an extraordinary and glorious road from small to large, weak to strong, and from victory to victory.
Since entering the New Era, he continued, the PLA has continuously accelerated the modernization of national defence and the military, successfully reduced the number of active service personnel by three hundred thousand, undergone a new system, new structure, new configuration, and new look, on a journey which leads to a strong army with Chinese characteristics.
He expressed China’s commitment to the path of peaceful development and the adoption of a National Defence Policy that is defensive in nature, stating that the PLA will honour its international responsibilities and obligations, and play a key role in UN peacekeeping operations, escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and international humanitarian rescue and assistance.
“The PLA is and will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of International Order”, Col Jun stated emphatically.
He concluded that in the future, the Chinese PLA will join hands with GAF to address regional and global security challenges, and contribute positively for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and continue to hold high the banner of win-win cooperation, on the basis of mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual learning.
Dignitaries present at the reception included the Chargé d’Affaires, PRC Embassy, Accra – Mr Li Yang; Chief of the Army Staff, GAF – Maj Gen Bismarck Kwasi Onwona; Chief of the Naval Staff, GAF – R/Adm Issah Adam Yakubu; DCoS, Medicine – Maj Gen Raymond Ewusi; Commander, Air Force Base, Accra – Air Commodore Eric Agyen-Frempon; Defence Attachés of Ghana’s Diplomatic Corps, and members of the Chinese community in Ghana.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
