Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah has cut sod for the construction of a Mess and Recreational Centre, to complement the under-construction Ghana Military Police Barracks, at Burma Camp, Accra.
The ground-breaking event took place at Duala, Burma Camp, Accra, on Monday 15 January 2024, of a facility to be constructed in ten (10) months by Mayfair Estates Limited, whose Chief Executive Officer is Dr John Watson Otumfuo, and deemed a friend of the Ghana Army.
The COAS described the collaboration between GAF and MAYFAIR ESTATES as a continuous one which represents a significant milestone, in efforts to modernize and improve facilities in the military, and a commitment to provide personnel with best possible resources and amenities.
Relating the history of the collaboration, Maj Gen T Oppong-Peprah said the then COAS in 2014 – Maj Gen Richard Opoku-Adusei (Rtd), entered into a Public Private Partnership program with MAYFAIR ESTATES LIMITED, to relocate the Military Police Barracks at Club 77, El-Wak, and in exchange, build 120 2-bedroom barracks accommodation (which is still under construction).
As part of the contract, he continued, MAYFAIR Ltd has constructed a transit facility for the Ghana Military Police Training School/National Dog Academy to accommodate students in training, and also constructed a 15-unit single-room self-contained facility for Young Soldiers at Club 77, Burma Camp.
For the project whose sod was cut, General Oppong-Peprah said, it is to transfer the structures at Club 77 to the new venue in a more modernised state, and when completed, the project will serve as a recreational centre, a dining hall and a multi-purpose centre for the Unit.
He used the occasion to appreciate Officers, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff of the Ghana Army, who have worked under his pursuit of transforming the Army, for the past 4 years, saying that they have demonstrated that it is possible to move the Army forward, from any state it finds itself.
He further emphasised that the high marks attained under his tenure, are all attributable to team work, citing developments at the Army Special Operations Training School (ASOTS) Daboya, the UN Village, Burma Camp, Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Dokokyina, a Mini-Barracks at Bui, gigantic transformation of Battle Training Camp, Bundase into a multi-purpose Training Centre, and multiple facilities splattered at all Units under the Army.
He took occasion to pay tribute to Maj Gen R Opoku Adusei (Rtd) for initiating the Military Police project, and Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Emmanuel Commey – former Provost Marshal, for spearheading the project during his tenure.
The Provost Marshal of the Ghana Military Police – Colonel (Col) Ziblim Ayorrogo, in his welcome remarks stated that, as part of Command’s efforts, the Military Police Corps will soon have a barracks of its own (factually, two of the four blocks barracks have been roofed and are being painted).
He continued that, as part of the COAS’ vision of providing various forms of facilities and accommodation for the wellbeing and morale of troops, he requested that the Military Police All Rank Mess (Club 77), a recreational area, a restaurant, and a mini-accommodation, should be added to the ongoing project, to ensure that Military Police personnel have a decent space to relax, interact and share ideas.
The project whose sod was cut, is to sit on a 1.5 acre tract of land, contain 2 main buildings – an Amenity Centre (which would have a 150-seater Events Centre on the ground floor, and another 150-seater on the upper floor, a 50-seater Bar, office, washrooms, storage facilities, kitchen, cold and dry storage, change-room for staff), and a 5 units studio apartments single room self-contained Transit Quarter for 5 Soldiers.
The main buildings would occupy about 40% of the 1.5 acre area, while the remaining would be used for greenery for outdoor activities, and a paved area to serve as a car park.
The 15-unit accommodation for Young Soldiers behind the Military Police Headquarters, was the first project the COAS cut sod for, when he assumed command.
Personages present at the event included the Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Army – Brig Gen Barima Brako Owusu; Commander, Support Services Brigade – Brig Gen Selassie Gagakuma; Director General, Inspector General Department – Brig Gen EK Commey; Deputy CSO, Administration, Army – Brig Gen Emmanuel Acheampong Baidoo; Deputy CSO Logistics – Brig Gen Kenneth Kwaku Kwaah Kumi; Army HQ Staff Officers; Commanding Officer, Ghana Military Police – Lieutenant Colonel Percy Lamptey, Dr John Watson Otumfuo, Soldiers, and Defence Civilian Staff.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
