Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s (GA) 66 Artillery Regiment (66 Arty Regt) – The Gunners – have taken custody of six (6) new 210kg 105mm Howitzer Saluting Guns, to replace the Regiment’s 25mm Pounder.
A commissioning ceremony held at the Obeng Square, Volta Barracks, Ho, in the Volta Region of Ghana, was superintended over by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command (S/COMD) – Major General (Maj Gen) Michael Amoah Ayisi, on Friday, 3 February, 2023.
General Amoah Ayisi told All Ranks of the Regiment that in order to be proficient with the new guns, they need to train on the weapons which are each operated by a 7-man crew and can fire between 6 to 8 rounds of ammunition within a minute, when used for Combat roles,
The Regiment’s core duties include the provision of fire support to the Ghana Army, performing of ceremonial gun salute duties which includes 21-gun salute during Independence Day Anniversary Celebrations, Remembrance Day parade, Guard of Honour parades for distinguished personalities and funerals among others.
The 83-year-old 25mm pounder saluting guns which have seen the World War II period is now relieved from frequent stoppages, misfired rounds that lead to breaks in firing intervals and replaced by the new 105mm (M-56) Howitzer Serbian-made saluting guns, designed to perform both ceremonial and Combat roles.
Present at the commissioning included Maj Gen Emmanuel Kotia – National Coordinator, Ghana Boundary Commission, Brig Gen Kenneth Kweku Kwaah Kumi – Deputy Chief Staff Officer Logistics, Army Headquarters, Brig Gen Kweku Dankwa Hagan – Commandant, Army Training Command, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Edward Sarpong Appiah – Commanding Officer, 66 Arty Regt, Lt Col Patrick Aturi Retired Senior Officers, Members of the Old Gunners Association.
Curtesy: 7 GARRISON PR
