Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has presented some much needed physical training equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Training and Doctrines Command (TRADOC), for use by the Physical Training (PT) School, to urgently enhance quality training of students and Physical Training Instructors (PTIs).
Presenting the newly acquired equipment on Wednesday 25 October, 2023, at the TRADOC Headquarters, Whistler Barracks, Teshie Ridge, to the Deputy Commandant of TRADOC – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Lawrence Gbetanu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NHIA – Dr Bernard Okoe Boye said the NHIA’s objectives fit into what the Physical Training School does.
He added that the presentation of the equipment coincides with Ghana’s Health Insurance Scheme’s 20 years Anniversary under the theme: “Your Access to Health”, and recounted the setup of the scheme by Ghana’s Second President of the Fourth Republic – President John Kufour, which hitherto, has enjoyed the support of successive governments.
Further providing justification for the donation, Dr Boye continued that the art of preventing diseases, promoting good health and prolonging life, are all encapsulated in the activities of the Armed Forces, which synchronizes with a key function of the job done at the NHIA.
He said in the past, health was defined as curing diseases, but the complete definition now is physical well-being, long life, and a good mental health.
On the personal level, Dr Boye cited his attending GAF’s Field Engineers school in Teshie as a juvenile, his late mother being once a worker with the military, and his numerous patronage of the Medical Reception Station (MRS) and the 37 Military Hospital.
The CEO, who is a former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku (where TRADOC is located), citing the construction by he and his partners of a storey-block with 8 washrooms, reading and locker rooms, for the use of 40 Teachers at the Field Engineers School, Teshie, called for more partnerships to “make big things happen”, and to improve working conditions.
Presenting the background of the presentation, Brig Gen Gbetanu, said months ago, the Officer-in-Charge of the PT School, made a request to Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Onwona – past Commandant, TRADOC, for some physical training equipment urgently needed to enhance the training of students.
General Gbetanu continued that upon analyzing the equipment requested, it was noted that those equipment are also used for national events, especially at the National Independence Day Anniversary celebrations, by Instructors who are all trained from the School, which additionally is responsible for all Officers and Soldiers of GAF, to keep fit.
He said since the end state was being healthy and thus, visiting the health centers less, and not putting a strain on healthcare facilities, General Onwona thought it wise to contact Dr Okoe Boye, who through the NHIA, made funds available for the procurement of the equipment.
The items presented included a board upon which rolling is undertaken, the takeoff board for bouncing, the horse, seat harness for mountaineering and rappelling, hand gloves, harbingers, an air conditioner to preserve the equipment in a good environment, and the renovation of a room for storage.
Present at the presentation included the Acting Assistant Commandant, TRADOC – Colonel (Col) Emmanuel Nyante; Chief Coordinator, – Col Edward Owusu-Ansah; Director, Joint Doctrine – Ernest Nyuur; Director, Materiel – Col Joseph Busy Boglo; Col Owusu-Ansah; Mr Bernard Brown – Director, Operations, Coastal Belt of the NHIA; Mr Mark Kofi Amoako – Head of Finance, Greater Accra Region; Mr Hubert Addo Ken Ampratwum – Manager, Madina District, NHIA
