Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Spurs and Sprockets Association of Ghana Army’s Armour Corps, have honoured Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah – the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), at the 153 Armoured Regiment (153 Armd Regt) GYMKHANA ’23, as the only Armour General to have achieved the feat of Commanding Officer of two Units concurrently, General Officer Commanding, and the COAS,.
The well-patronized event of exotic and spectacular entertainment displays, which was used to foster Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC), and also round up activities of the Unit for the year 2023, took place on Saturday, 16 December 2023, at the Mounted Squadron, Burma Camp, Accra.
Excerpts of a citation of the honour, read by the Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade (15 Armd Bde) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Ben Gah, said throughout history, Generals have emerged to leave memorable imprints on the lives of their personnel, and one such figure in contemporary time who has left an indelible impact on the Army, through his innovative and bold initiatives, is Maj Gen T Oppong-Peprah.
The honour said the Armour Corps’ General has shown unwavering leadership and valour, ineffaceable footprint in the Corps, the Ghana Army, and by extension the Ghana Armed Forces, such achievements epitomizing the hallmarks of a true leader who prioritizes the safety and welfare of his personnel.
“His continuous provision of infrastructure even at a time of limited resources has not only been remarkable but also enviable”, the honour stated, as he was presented with a traditional stool designed as an armoured vehicle, sets of training kits, and a frame of the citation, by the President, Spurs & Sprockets Association – Brig Gen GK Adjei (Rtd).
At the main attraction; the hosts of the program – 153 Armd Regt – had its staff and horses perform various horse displays, such as; Trick Ride, Musical Chairs, Show Jumping, Sack Race, and Indian File, while the Armed Forces Central Band (AFCB) provided regimental music.
There also was Dog Display by the National Dog Academy with dogs showing great intelligence in identifying hidden weapons and narcotics in luggage, and helping to arrest miscreants, and spectacular Fireworks by the 48 Engineer Regiment.
There was acrobatic display by Physical Training Instructors of GAF’s Physical Training School, who exhibited working exercises like; Prone Falling, Shoot Through, Backwards Roll, Split and Roll, Forward Roll and Heads in Pairs, Fly Handspring, Individual tricks; horse-work such as Through Vault ((Breath-way), Astride Vault (Length-way), Somersault and Long-armed Drop, Shallow Dive and Roll, High Dive and Roll, Dive and Roll through the Loop of Fire.
