Kofi Ampeah Woode
To enhance mobility and overall operational capabilities of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Commander-In-Chief (C-In-C) has presented and commissioned 245 vehicles – 70 KAMAZ Utility Troops Carrying Vehicles (TCVs), 20 BTRs, 70 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 20 HUSKY Armoured Vehicles, 65 assorted Toyota vehicles – and a number of communication equipment.
“On Thursday, 5 December 2019, and Wednesday 31 March 2021, I was at this particular venue to present to you a set of very important vehicles and equipment to enhance your mobility and overall operational capabilities. I indicated to you that there will be more of such presentations, and I am here to fulfill the promise made”, the C-In-C and President of Ghana – His Excellency (HE) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, when he presented the goods at the Abugah Square, Gondar Barracks, Burma Camp, Accra, on Wednesday 1 February, 2023.
The C-In-C continued that he had no doubt that the vehicles and equipment will go a long way to enable GAF contain security threats of terrorist groups operating along Ghana’s northern borders, violent extremists (VE), contain internal security challenges and secessionists activities, deal with the Galamsey menace, and secure a peaceful atmosphere along Ghana’s Northwestern, Northern and Northeastern borders, as well as support GAF’s external peacekeeping operations.
“As President of the Republic, I am fully aware that our economic development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.”
He urged the Armed Forces to continue to collaborate with the Ministries of National Security, Interior, Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Revenue Authority, as well as all other public stakeholder agencies, to ensure the maintenance of a robust posture that would deter potential aggressors from derailing the political and socioeconomic successes achieved thus far.
The President stated that in the face of other competing national needs, and with the threats from Ghana’s northern border, the Government endeavoured and released funds in 2020 to start retooling, construction and upgrading of 15 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and new Units, such as the 10 & 11 Mechanized Battalions, 154, 155 Armoured Regiments and supporting logistics units.
The Minister for Defence and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla – Mr Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul said that GAF continues to be resourced by the Government, since combatting contemporary threats of aggression and terrorism in the subregion requires Realtime surveillance capabilities, high mobility, force protection, firepower and communication capabilities.
He reiterated that during the President’s last visit to the Burma Camp, in October 2021, Jeeps, Toyota Mini Vans, Toyota Hilux Pickups and equipment were presented to GAF to enhance its operations.
GAF’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama said some of the vehicles are to be deployed as part of the Northern Border Project, in an effort to maintain peace and stability along Ghana’s northern borders, as well as deployments to enhance troop mobility and protection for the Bawku Task force in Operation Gongong, in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
The CDS said the Government, in an effort to resource the Ghana Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and to meet up with the UNISFA Status of Units Requirements, has procured a number of vehicles to support the Mission, which will be inserted into the mission areas within the next few weeks, after receiving clearance from both the UN and the Government of Sudan.
Ghana has also acquired a large amount of Communications Equipment for GAF, which are to be deployed within all the Garrisons of the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly units along the northern borders, as well as UN Peace Support Operations.
OMNI Bank and CAL Bank assisted the main contractor to prefinance the acquisition of the vehicles and equipment in an arrangement where the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Messrs. Excel Design and Integration Ltd of the United Kingdom to test, repair, refurbish and deliver a quantity of the logistics presented, part of which are yet to arrive in the country.
Other dignitaries present included MP Nandom and Minister for Interior – Ambrose Dery, MP Atwima-Kwanwoma – Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Service Chiefs of GAF, Chief of Staff, General Headquarters, Senior Officers, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major, Regimental Sergeant Majors, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers and Defence Civilian Staff.
