Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army has held its 2023 edition of the West African Soldiers’ Social Activities (WASSA) with its trailblazers, friends, well-wishers, families, and comrades in arms, to honour outstanding personnel, and celebrate the Army’s successes, take stock of the year being ended, with a view to do better in the ensuing period.
The event, extraordinarily set, transforming the Nicholson Park at Burma Camp into a comfortable feast location, took place on Friday, December 15, with the Guest of Honour being a former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Major General (Maj Gen) Samuel Nii Anum Odotei – Acting La Dzaasetse, La Traditional Area, amidst an array of high profile dignitaries.
The Guest of Honour, who was COAS in 2005, casting an elaborate overview of the activities of the Army, stated that he had observed with admiration the great strides made under the current COAS – Maj Gen Thomas Oppong-Peprah, that the welfare of troops have also been greatly been attended to, even in the face of scarce resources.
Maj Gen SAN Odotei continued to say that the massive infrastructural drive witnessed under the current COAS has not been lost on anyone, and that it is justified to say that, it is the best time to be a soldier in the Ghana Army, “It is a matter of pride for all retired Officers that the Ghana Armed Forces remain professional and faithful to the Constitution of Ghana”, he said.
He said as former COAS, he has checked and seen massive improvements in all areas of military life, including manpower, infrastructure, training and logistics, and expressed satisfaction with the Army High Command for sustaining WASSA, saying that it is justified and necessary, and a good occasion to celebrate collective efforts made throughout the year, in furtherance of the goals of the Army.
General Odotei cited General Oppong-Peprah’s vision of: “producing a highly-motivated, well-trained, well-equipped Army with quality Officers and Soldiers, to achieve the tasks of the Army”, and said it has been a rallying point for the Army Headquarters, its formations, Units, sub-Units and Defence Civilian Staff.
The Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Army Headquarters (AHQ) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Barimah Brako Owusu, in a welcome address, stated on behalf of the COAS that, if there is anything the Army has achieved, it should be attributed to God for being the source of strength behind the Service.
He further acknowledged the invaluable contribution of all his predecessors and all retired Senior Officers, Officers and Soldiers who served in different capacities while in active service, for their pioneering roles and laying a strong foundation upon which he, his commanders and staff are building.
Under Maj Gen Oppong-Peprah as COAS, the policy of expanding the coverage of the Ghana Army across the country, to enable the Army have extensive reach, grasp and dominance, in line with contemporary national security and development requirements, has been earnestly pursued, with the creation of additional Units.
The following have been established: 15 Armoured Brigade, 17 Signal Brigade, Army Special Operations Brigade, Army Peace Operations Training School, 10, 11 and 12 Mechanized Battalions, 154 and 155 Armoured Regiments, 851 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, 87 and 93 Signal Regiments, Army Special Operations Training School, Armour Training School.
The expansion has also led to a visible Gender Mainstreaming, leading to the appointment of the first female Commanding Officers for the Ordnance Training School; the Defence Mechanical Transport; the Director, Army Civil Affairs; while female Officers and Soldiers are now posted to Infantry Units, after their initial training, with female Officers now undergoing practical promotion examination.
Besides formation and Headquarters training exercises, there have been international training exercises like Exercise Cambrian Patrols, where Ghana Army has participated and performed well, winning the acknowledgement of the British organizers, thus Ghana’s slot for participation has been increased from two to three, in the upcoming 2024 exercise.
Similarly, Army Special Operations Brigade personnel participating in Exercise First Warrior ’23 in the United States of America for the first time, had a female Soldier winning Bronze Medal, while in 2023, the Army Sports Team won a total of 170 medals in national, regional and international competitions.
There was great musical tunes provided by Kwanpa Band and Musician Kwame Eugene, with mob response, when General Oppong-Peprah took to the floor, dancing amongst children, and later with Soldiers.
Dignitaries present included the National Security Coordinator – Edward Asomani; Chief of the Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Vice Admiral Seth Amoama; Chief of the Air Staff – Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Frederick Asare Bekoe; Chief of Staff, General Headquarters – Maj Gen Nicholas Peter Andoh; Maj Gen CB Yaatse – former COAS and current Chairman of Veterans Administration of Ghana (VAG);
Others were; former COAS – Maj Gen JN Adinkra (Rtd); AVM Frank Hanson (Rtd) – former CAS; National Coordinator, Ghana Boundary Commission – Maj Gen Emmanuel Kotia; Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College – Major Gen Bismarck Onwona; Commandant, National College of Defence Studies – Maj Gen Irvine Aryeetey; Chief, Defence Intelligence – Maj Gen Abraham Nsiah;
Additionally, there were; Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Logistics – Maj Gen Joseph Osei-Owusu; DCOS, Administration – AVM Michael Appiah-Agyekum; Army Headquarters Senior Officers, Friends of the Ghana Army, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major, Service Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, family and friends.
