Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana’s new Western Regional Minister – Mr Joseph Nelson has paid his maiden visit to the 2 Infantry Battalion (2Bn) of the Ghana Army, as Head of Regional Security Council (REGSEC), and as part of his familiarization tour of security installations in the Western Region.
The visit on Thursday 20 February 2025 at Myohaung Barracks, Takoradi, also afforded him the opportunity to officially interact with Officers, Key Appointment Holders, Soldiers and Unit Magajias (wives of soldiers).
In his remarks, the Minister commended the Commanding Officer (CO) – Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Nana Nyarko Osae, and personnel of the Unit for the warm reception and courtesies that were accorded him and his entourage, and for protecting the territorial integrity of the region, as well as maintaining its dominance in its area of operations as a land force.
Mr J Nelson stated that he would work with the Battalion and other security institutions, to ensure the safety and security of the Western Region so that its people would go about their daily activities without disturbances.
He then charged the Battalion and the REGSEC to re-commit to the fight against illegal mining activities (popularly called ‘Galamsey’) in the region, as such acts posed severe threat to the environment, lives and property.
He said, “Our survival as a people is under threat and something must be done if we are to curb environmental pollution and land degradation so that the region can get clean and good drinking water”.
He stated further that since the state relies on its security services to eradicate the Galamsey menace, they require discipline, loyalty and dedication in nobly serving humanity physically, mentally and intellectually, to wage a full war on the illicit act, regardless of who was involved in that enterprise.
The Minister reiterated that he would work with the Command to resolve some of the challenges that the Unit faces, especially the poor state of Barracks roads.
After a momentary welcome reception for the Minister and his entourage at the CO’s office, Lt Col ENN Osae apprised them of the Operational, Logistics and Administrative state of the Battalion; and also threw light on the Unit’s history, battles fought, honours won, organization, responsibilities, anthem, mascot and ongoing projects.
Lt Col ENN Osae assured the Regional Minister of personnel’s loyalty to cooperation with him and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, asserting that the Battalion would continue to carry out its responsibilities as a land force with utmost discipline, professionalism, loyalty, selflessness, commitment and sense of duty; so as to safeguard and protect the territorial integrity of the Western and Western North Regions.
After the brief, both Mr Nelson and Lt Col ENN Osae planted trees at the Administration area to serve as memorial of the Minister’s maiden visit to the Unit, after which he inspected some Barracks projects, District Road Improvement Projects (DRIP) equipment, as well as the Unit’s Events Centre, which is under construction.
Credit: 2 Garrison PR Detachment, Takoradi.
