Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Ghana Army has embarked on a route march and a motorized float in some principal streets of Accra, to display unequalled achievements laurels and honours its sports teams won, within a span of three years of re-organization.
On the program, the Army Sports Teams displayed about 32 trophies on Thursday November 2, 2023, whiles personnel including Generals, Colonels and many others, commenced the procession from the Nicholson Stadium, Burma Camp, through the 37 Military Hospital, Arko-Adjei Intersection, Danquah Roundabout, Cantonments, El-Wak Stadium, and back to the Nicholson Stadium, covering a distance of about 7.5 kilometers.
Speaking to the marchers after the walk, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah, referring to himself as the Team’s cheerleader, said it had always been his desire that Army Sports would be the best or among the best.
Since assumption of office in 2020, the COAS approved the recruitment of 180 sportsmen and women, for Basic Military Training, who upon completion, formed the nucleus of the 20 Sports Disciplines in the Army, which comprised of soccer, boxing, volleyball, hockey, table-tennis, handball, basketball and bowling.
The COAS dedicated an Office and Staff, to take direct responsibility, for implementing his vision with the Army Sports Teams, thereby resourcing the Physical Training and Sports (PT & Sports) Office, under the G7 Branch, and Major Dickson Agalga appointed General Staff Officer Grade 2, in charge of PT and Sports.
The Army also assembled the right team of coaches, technical, medical as well as supporting staff, sponsoring them to pursue coaching and sports management courses, at the University of Education, Winneba, the National Sports College and other recognized institutions.
The premier Service of GAF also provided a 33-Seater bus, to facilitate the Teams’ movements and the provision of funds, to support training and matches, and through external donors, provided kits like balls, bags and jerseys.
The team attracted sponsors like the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AWARD CENTRE – Mr Paa Kwesi Amoah, LATEX FOAM GHANA LTD, and Mr Adolf Tetteh Adjei – CEO of SAPHOLDA GHANA LIMITED, who supported the Army Sports Teams with some cash donations, with the latter providing USD 20,000 for the Army Ladies Hockey Team to compete, in the African Cup for Club Championship (ACCC) in Kenya, in February 2023, where the team won Silver.
Within the period of three (3) years of reorganization, the Army Sports Teams have won a total of one hundred and sixty-seven (167) medals in national, regional and international competitions, comprising of 86 Gold, 51 Silver and 30 Bronze; 26 of these 167 medals being international honours made up of 16 Gold, 9 Silver and a Bronze.
Within same period, the Army Ladies Volleyball Team Captain – Corporal (Cpl) Katadat Rashaka was adjudged the Best Volleyball Player by the Sports Writers Association Ghana (SWAG) for 2022, and Potential Recruit Seidu Fatima of the Army Handball Women Team won the Best Player and Scorer with 57 Goals, at the International Handball Federation Tournament held in Ghana, in April 2023.
The Army Volleyball Coach – Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt) Ntaaga George has been appointed the Assistant National Volleyball Coach, Chief Petty Officer Class 1 (CPOI) Taylor Patrick – the Head Coach of the Army Women Hockey Team, has been appointed Head Coach of the National Women Hockey Team, who at the time of press, are in South Africa with 11 Army Hockey Players, representing Ghana in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Competition.
To honour the dedication and performance of two outstanding players and to encourage all others perform better, General Oppong-Peprah announced the release of Cpl Katadat Rashaka and Private (Pte) Ankomah Emmanuel to Paolo Volleyball Club in Malta, and South Burnie Hockey Club in Australia, respectively.
In further support of the efforts of the Army Sports Teams, Mr Ahmed Musah – CEO, ABOBOYAA GHANA LTD, donated a motorbike, a product of his company to the teams, KAF Ghana Ltd donated GHS 50,000, the Army Commander gave GHS 50,000, whiles others presented assorted soft drinks and water to honour the spectacular performances.
Present at the event included the Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre – Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane; Outgoing and Incoming General Officers Commanding (GOC), Southern Command (S/COMD) – Maj Gen Michael Amoah-Ayisi and Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Samuel Yeboah Asare, respectively.
Others included Brig Gen Barima Brako Owusu – Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Army Headquarters (HQ); Emmanuel Acheampong Baidoo – Deputy Chief Staff Officer (DCSO) – Administration; Brig Gen Frank Tei – DCSO, Training; Brig Gen Stephen Woseadzikpo Parbey – Commander, Army Training Command; Brig Gen Ben Gah – Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade; Brig Gen Cornelius Kobla Lithur – DCSO – Policy and Plans; amongst many.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
