Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s Northern Command (N/COMD), as part of its Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Tactical Course 1 2024 (BNTC 1-24) to develop future leaders, has held an intensive Range Classification Exercise, for fifty-five (55) Young Soldiers.
In a show of support, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), N/COMD – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Frank Nartey Tei, on Friday 30 August 2024, paid a visit to the troops at the Daboya Gallery Range, and expressed delight at their marksmanship, dedication, and the prospect of a bright future for each of them.
The GOC intimated that excellence in ranks is the duty of individual Soldiers, and that every drill, exercise, and lesson learned contributes to their growth as Soldiers, and future leaders.
Brig Gen FN Tei further stated that the ongoing expansion programme in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has necessitated that Commands take up aspects of basic training, and by devolving basic training to the Commands, ensure more focused and effective preparation for its troops, with the successes reflecting in the growing strength and capabilities of personnel in Units.
BNTC 1-24, which is part of GAF’s broader initiative in decentralising basic training, was assembled on Tuesday 23 July 2024, with course participants drawn from 6 Infantry Battalion, 10 and 11 Mechanised Battalion, 69 Air Borne Force, 155 Armoured Regiment, and Air Force Base, Tamale.
In the range classification, which was to test the effectiveness of personnel in weapon handling and firing efficiency, 5 students were classified as Marksman, 11 as First-Class Shooters, 22 as Second-Class Shooters, and 16 Pass.
The students were also introduced to falling plates with a competition ensuing between the Instructors and students, a contest which saw the Instructors winning both sets of the Falling Plates competition within 20 seconds.
Present at the Daboya Gallery Range were Colonel John Kwateng – Command Logistics Officer, N/COMD; Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Nii Armah Quaye – Outgoing Commanding Officer (CO), Army Special Operations Training School (ASOTS); and Lt Col Ernest Darkwah – Incoming CO ASOTS; Officers, Regimental Sergeant Major, ASOTS, and Soldiers.
Credit: N/COMD HQ
