Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Air Force Recruit Training School (AFRTS) has passed out 344 new Airmen at the Air Force Base, Takoradi, with a passing out parade filled with pride and excitement as families, friends, and loved ones joined the event, witnessing the culmination of six months of hard work and rigorous training.
Recruit Course 1/2023 made up of 124 females and 220 males, after entertaining the crowd with an excellent drill display, took the oath of attestation on Friday 25 August 2023, for their integration into Ghana’s military as Airmen, after the successful completion of training.
The Guest of Honour, and Commander Air Force Base (AFB), Takoradi – Air Commodore (A/Cdre) Godfried Sackey Parker, who represented the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe, stated in his address that the CAS had followed with keen interest the various stages of the Recruit training.
He offered his heartfelt congratulations to them for their commitment, determination and resilience throughout the challenging journey which had brought them to a significant milestone in their military career.
He iterated that, their vows and oath were not said in jest, but demanded sacrifice and selfless dedication, adding that he had no doubt that they had acquired the skills, knowledge and character to achieve excellence in the discharge of their duty to the State.
A/Cdre Parker also congratulated the Commanding Officer (CO), AFRTS – Wing Commander Newman S Naab, Officers, Instructors and Administrative Staff of AFRTS for their exceptional work in transforming the Recruits to Airmen.
At the awards: Aircraftman Class II Baba-Zaah Vida emerged as the OVERALL BEST RECRUIT, displaying exceptional talent and dedication across multiple disciplines. She also secured the honours for best in tactics and academics, and was presented with plaques, a refrigerator, an HP laptop, and a 32-inch Samsung television, sponsored by Enterprise Life Insurance and Services & Integrity Savings and Loan Bank.
The awards for BEST IN DRILL went to Aircraftman Class II Kangah Frema Monica, while BEST IN WEAPON and SKILL-AT-ARMS went to Aircraftman Class II Gbafa Happy, and they both received plaques and 32 inch Samsung televisions as prizes.
Aircraftman Class II Babainnewuur Francis’s dedication to PHYSICAL TRAINING earned him the top spot in the MALE CATEGORY while Aircraftman Class II Ibrahim Rashidatu also clinched the same award in the FEMALE CATEGORY. They were presented individually with plaques and 32-inch Samsung televisions.
These commendable accomplishments are a testament to the rigorous training and mentorship provided by the Ghana Air Force, highlighting the effectiveness of their recruitment and training programmes.
Some dignitaries who graced the occasion were, the Western Regional Minister – Honourable Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah; former CAS – AVM Edward Mantey (Rtd), Commander, AFB Accra – A/Cdre Eric Agyen-Frempong; Commander, Air Force Training Command – A/Cdre Mathias Awuah; Deputy Chief Staff Officer, Logistics – A/Cdre Ben Offei; Flag Officer Fleet (FOF), Western Naval Command – Cdre Samuel Ayelazono; CO, 2 Infantry Battalion – Lieutenant Colonel DN Bondah, and Officers from Sister Security Services.
Curtesy: Airforce SPR0
