Kofi Ampeah Woode
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command (S/COMD) of the Ghana Army – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Isaac Nicholas Paintsil, visited the 1 Infantry Battalion (1BN) as his maiden familiarisation tour since assuming command.
The goal of his visit on Wednesday May 21 2025, was to evaluate how well the battalion is operating, assess training practices, and discuss any concerns from personnel.
The tour also provided Brig Gen IN Paintsil with the opportunity to meet and interact with the troops, as well as gather firsthand information on their ongoing activities in support of national development.
The Commanding Officer, 1BN – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Frank Adams, welcomed Brig Gen Paintsil and briefed him on the battalion’s operational conditions, logistics, and administrative matters and challenges, after which he guided him around some important facilities within the Unit.
During a durbar with personnel of the Unit, Brig Gen Paintsil emphasised the importance of healthcare, and encouraged everyone to prioritise routine health checkups, highlighting that a healthy mind comes from a healthy body, thus staying away from substance abuse will prevent chronic illnesses.
Furthermore, he addressed the matter of unauthorised activities, including land guarding, recruitment fraud, and illegal monetary collection, advising that adherence to their designated roles and responsibilities is paramount, as involvement in such activities could result in severe consequences.
The GOC additionally strongly cautioned against gambling, and encouraged soldiers to invest in their futures, utilizing social media platforms judiciously for educational purposes.
He also emphasized the necessity for personnel to exercise caution in their interactions with the public, while maintaining professionalism and avoiding confrontations.
He went on to stress the significance of taking care of available equipment, despite current limitations, and reassured personnel that ongoing efforts by the government are underway to enhance resource allocation, while advising against the sale of military equipment, warning that anyone found engaging in such acts would be punished.
Brig Gen Paintsil also visited a Forward Position located in Somanya, in the Eastern Region, where 1BN troops are currently stationed alongside the 48 Engineer Regiment, as part of a joint operation with the Electricity Company of Ghana, ‘Operation Motherland’, at the Akosombo and Kpong transmission stations.
Credit: 1GAR PR DET
