Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona has called on troops of the 2 Infantry Battalion (2Bn) of the Ghana Army to work as a team, as it was the surest way to achieve success in any field of endeavour.
Maj Gen BK Onwona made the call when he interacted with all ranks and Defence Civilian Staff in a durbar, during his maiden familiarization visit to the Unit on Tuesday 12 March 2024, at the Myohaung Barracks, Takoradi, after having taken over from Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah as COAS.
During the durbar, he stated that the purpose of his visit was to formally introduce himself to the Unit, know at first hand issues that confront the Unit, as well as interact with them.
The COAS pointed out that his vision for the Ghana Army was to maintain a cohesive, well motivated and well-rounded Army capable of undertaking its mission of national defence with professionalism, as part of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Maj Gen Onwona revealed that the 2Bn had been, and still is, a special and formidable infantry unit both in the Ghana Army and the Ghana Armed Forces as a whole, and said the unit stands out as unique amongst all other units, by virtue of discipline, professionalism, commitment and loyalty of its personnel.
Maj Gen BK Onwona commended the Battalion for professionally maintaining peace in the Western and Western North Regions that had allowed the people to go about their daily activities without fear, and also commended the Commanding Officer of the Unit – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Atobrah Bondah, for initiating various projects; notable among them being building a wall round the Barracks.
Besides securing the property of the Battalion, the COAS also praised the CO for the construction of a 14-room self-contained one-storey Young Soldiers’ accommodation block, and the construction of 2Bn Barracks road from a very bad state to a third class road.
Furthermore, he implored all ranks to extend to the CO the loyalty, cooperation, professionalism and devotion to work, which were given to his predecessor to enable him succeed in his administration; as he also assured the Battalion of his unflinching support at all times.
Maj Gen BK Onwona underscored the need for the Ghana Army to always collaborate with the media, and said it is the medium through which the Army could sell its story to the nation, showcase its positive image and thereby contribute to national development.
As Ghana prepares to conduct her general elections in December 2024, Maj Gen BK Onwona appealed to all ranks to remain resolute and extra vigilant, in order to maintain peace and order nationwide.
Moreover, he opined that there were violent extremists’ activities and terrorism in the Sahel regions, which had the tendency to spill over into Ghana, and therefore charged personnel to be security conscious, due to the strategic location of the Western and Western North Regions, and their economic importance.
The Chief of the Army Staff and his entourage toured the Barracks to inspect projects which included newly constructed accommodation at the abattoir, Young Soldiers accommodation block, barracks sewerage system, and the 2Bn Gallery Range.
He also paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister – Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, as well as the 2 Garrison Commander – Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo, who doubles as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC).
Maj Gen Bismarck Kwasi Onwona was accompanied on his visit by the General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, Brigadier General Samuel Yeboah Asare, Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters, and Headquarters, Southern Command.
Credit: 2 GARRISON PR DET
