Kofi Ampeah Woode
The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), His Excellency (HE) President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accompanied by the host President and C-in-C of the Armed Force of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (FARP), HE General (Gen) Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo have visited the Ghana Company (GHANCOY 1), serving with the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).
The C-in-C of GAF’s historic visit to the Unit at the GHANCOY camp, at the Presidential Palace, Bissau, on Monday 15 May 2023 was part of his official 2-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau, at the invitation of the host President.
The purpose of the C-in-C’s visit to the Ghanaian Contingent, was to meet with ESSMGB-GHANCOY 1 and generally assess at first hand the well-being of the troops and how the Unit has effectively carried out its mission and tasks since insertion into the operational area in June 2022.
Activities undertaken during the visit included, guard of honour by the FARP, a short parade display by GHANCOY 1 and a special Presidential Quarter Guard mounted in honour of the C-in-C of GAF. Others were; tour of the camp, interaction with Ghanaian troops and commissioning of GHANCOY project.
The Combat Team Commander (CT Comd) of ESSMGB GHANCOY 1 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) David Korsah, warmly welcomed the Presidents and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the entire Ghanaian Contingent of ESSMGB.
In his welcome remarks to the President and C-in-C of GAF, the CT Comd asserted that the visit was historic and memorable for three reasons. Firstly, it affirms President Nana Akufo-Addo’s strong commitment to constitutional democracy on the continent based on his track records. Secondly, it demonstrates the confidence reposed in the GAF hierarchy and personnel by the C-in-C and thirdly, it was the first time a C-in-C has visited GAF troops on an external operation in about 28 years.
Lt Col Korsah further assured Ghana’s President that, he and his troops will continue to wear the Ghana flag with pride, lift the country’s image higher and be worthy ambassadors of the nation.
President Akufo-Addo commended the contingent for its discipline and professionalism and assured the unit of his full support. The President made a donation to the contingent at the end of his speech. To crown the President’s visit, he commissioned a newly constructed accommodation and office edifice by the Unit to ease accommodation challenge faced by the Contingent.
The newly constructed accommodation and office block is named “AMOAMA BLOCK” after the GAF CDS, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama for his instrumental role to secure funds for the project. In attendance at the visit were Professor Hamidou Boly, Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission (SRPC), Brigadier General AM Grema, ESSMGB Force Commander and Colonel ATM Kore, Deputy Force Commander.
