Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Army Special Operations Training School (ASOTS) has held a colourful handing/taking over ceremony to bid its first Commanding Officer (CO) – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Nii Armah Quaye farewell.
The Ceremony was held on Thursday 12 September 2024 at ASOTS, Daboya in the Savannah Region, with events of the occasion comprising the unveiling of the refurbished School Headquarters, signing of handing/taking over certificates, change of baton, and pulling out of the immediate past CO.
The Guest of Honour for the occasion, and General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command (N/COMD) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Frank Nartey Tei, in his address commended Lt Col Quaye for achieving remarkable feats under his command, demonstrating unwavering commitment, discipline, professionalism and wished him success in his future endeavours.
He also congratulated the new CO – Lt Col Ernest Bosompem Darkwah, on his appointment and urged the Unit to extend the same support they gave to the past CO, to the incumbent, to achieve the school’s vision.
Brig Gen Tei further stated that the school which hitherto, was known as the Daboya Training Camp, received a facelift and was re-designated as ASOTS in 2021, as part of the Chief of the Army’s Vision of expanding the Ghana Army.
He highlighted some of the infrastructural projects undertaken under the tenure of Lt Col Quaye, which include the construction of a 3-unit, 150-capacity accommodation block for permanent staff, a 100-capacity dormitory for recruits, and a 100-capacity lecture hall for recruits.
Others are a 100-capacity female dormitory sponsored by the Elsie Initiative Fund, a fighting-in-built-up-area (FIBUA) village, and skills house sponsored by the United States Special Operations Command Africa for Special Forces training.
The GOC also noted that the School is acknowledged as a Centre of Excellence, and a prime location for hosting international exercises like Exercise FLINTLOCK, and Exercise AFRICAN LION, due to its fast transformation.
Lt Col Quaye extended gratitude to the GOC and various sponsors for their support and immeasurable contributions to the success story of ASOTS, and used the opportunity to welcome the incoming CO, as he urged All Ranks and various sponsors, to extend their unflinching support and effort to his command, to ensure the success of the School.
As part of the ceremony, the school’s new Administration Block – comprising offices for the CO, Second-in-Command, Orderly Room, Conference Room, as well as Coffee Room – was unveiled by the Guest of Honour.
Lt Col DNA Quaye initiated self-help projects in his quest to improve on the infrastructure state of ASOTS. Some of these projects include:
a) Construction of 2 Lecture Sheds with VAMED Engineering supporting him with prefab roofing sheets and steel columns for one of the lecture sheds.
b) Construction of a 2 bedroom self-contained CO accommodation with the support of the former CDS Vice Admiral Seth Amoama.
c) Construction of a chamber and hall self-contained for the 2IC .
d) Construction of a chamber and hall self-contained for the unit RSM.
e) Renovation of the Officers’ and NCOs’ messes.
f) Construction of a Headquarters Block. This has additional office space for the CO, 2IC, Adjutant, Orderly Room, Conference Room and Coffee Room.
g) Construction of the square which is a major achievement of the CO. The first concrete square christened Oppong-Peprah Square.
h) Construction of a Mosque.
i) Construction of a barber shop.
j) Establishment of a lab with the Latter-Day Saint Church supporting with lab equipment and medical stores at a cost of $20,000.00.
k) Expansion of the unit RAP to create additional 3 office space and 2 admission wards.
l) Reconstruction of a dilapidated structure into a multi-purpose hall and christened after the late L/Cpl Felix Norgbey.
m) Establishment of a sachet water factory.
n) Construction of inner roads in the school.
o) Ongoing construction of an accommodation block containing 10-rooms self-contained accommodation for SNCO’s.
p) Acquisition of furniture to furnish the new HQ block and other offices.
Lt Col DNA Quaye is now designated Deputy Director, Land Doctrine at GAF’s Training and Doctrine Command.
Present at the ceremony included the Base Commander, Air Force Base, Tamale – Air Commodore Joshua Mensah-Larkai, Staff Officers from Headquarters, N/COMD, COs of 6 Infantry Battalion and 155 Armoured Regiment – Lt Col Jerry Ankuyi and Lt Col Hoffman respectively, Officers, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, families and sponsors of ASOTS.
Credit: N/COMD PR
