Kofi Ampeah Woode
Southern Command (S/COMD), a formation of the Ghana Army, has held it 2023 West African Soldiers’ Social Activities (WASSA), to thank Almighty God, interact with each other, take stock of the passing year and plan for the future.
The event took place at the Oppong-Peprah Square of the S/COMD Headquarters, on Wednesday 20 December, 2023, with the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, invited as the Guest of Honour, however, he was represented by his Chief Staff Officer (CSO) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Barima Brako Owusu.
Brig Gen BB Owusu presented an overview of the activities of the formation for the year 2023, recalling how S/COMD have been involved in many operations such as CALM LIFE, HALT II and MOTHERLAND, and in Exercise KULLUM SHIRRI, which was a 2-day Inter-Unit March and Shoot competition, organized annually in preparation for Exercise TIGERS’ PATH.
He forecasted that, a lot will be expected of the Army in 2024, in the area of Internal Security Operations, such as Operation HALT II, to stop illegal miners, and to support the conduct of peaceful elections, stating that success will largely depend on sound intelligence and total commitment to defend the country at all cost.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), S/COMD – Brig Gen Samuel Yeboah Asare, in his welcome address, said over the past year, the Command trained and conducted a number of operations and exercises successfully, to support Civil Authorities as assigned by the Military High Command.
General Asare also charged his personnel, to join in the crusade to strengthen civil-military cooperation (CIMIC), and to foster better relations with other sister security agencies.
He highly praised the Bank of Ghana – for their support for the WASSA event – and Captain Haruna Adamu (Rtd) of Ojeyz Securities Management – who also supported the event, and a couple of months ago, donated a 30 KVA Generator for use by the Command Headquarters power generator, which was officially commissioned during the WASSA.
There was Combat Readiness Display contest between Young Soldiers, and a 30-meter gallery range as part of the contest, and later on for pleasure shots.
Dignitaries present included the Deputy CSO, Administration, Army – Brig Gen Emmanuel Baidoo Acheampong; the Director General, Training, General Headquarters – Brig Gen Winfred Dzndu-Heddidor; Director General, Defence Civilian Staff – Brig Gen Anita Asmah; Director General, Department of Public Relations – Brig Gen Eric Aggrey-Quashie, Commanding Officers of Units under S/COMD, Officers, Regimental Sergeant Major, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, family and friends.
