Retired Major General has urged Ghana Army personnel to demonstrate professionalism and discharge their assigned duties with all seriousness expected of peacekeepers.
He gave this advice at this year’s West Africa Soldiers Social Activities ( WASSA) which was held at the forecourt of the Ghana Army Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra on Friday, December 16, 2022.
The WASSA which is to herald the end of 2022 calendar activities after a two-year break of non-observance following a series of restrictions from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was eased.
The Guest-of-Honour Major General Clayton Naa Boanuba Yaache (Rtd), urged the personnel to continue to demonstrate professionalism and discharge their assigned duties with all seriousness expected of them as peacekeepers after praising them for their outstanding performance and contribution to international peacekeeping.
He mentioned Ghana Army’s expansion drive which has seen the establishment and operationalization of the new Brigade Headquarters and Units that has given a further boost to Ghana’s state of security.
Additionally, he acknowledged the continuous contribution of Soldiers to peace and security, amidst the rising threats of terrorism, violent extremism and other transnational organised crimes within the Subregion, as well as numerous pre-emptive measures which have been instituted by the Military High Command in collaboration with other security agencies, which have ensured the prevalence of a stable national peace and security.
” Your relentless efforts at safeguarding the territorial integrity of our country, especially in these times of rising insecurity in the West Africa sub-region is remarkable and we greatly appreciate your selfless service,” Maj. Gen. CB Yaache stated.
Additionally, on the International Peace Support Operations, he mentioned the active involvement of the GA in several Multinational Exercises such as Exercise AFRICAN LION – held in Morocco, Exercise FLINTLOCK – held in Ivory Coast, and Exercise CAMBRIAN PATROL – held in the United Kingdom, and announced that Ghana has been selected to host the 2023 edition of Exercise FLINTLOCK in March 2023.
Maj. Gen. CB Yaache touching on social defence advised the officers against sexual exploitation, abuse and other despicable vices, which repercussions are dreadful.
The Chief of Army Staff(COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Major General Thomas Oppong -Peprah, awarded staff who have distinguished themselves in various fields during the year.
The awardees are Warrant Officer Class II Fiagbedzi Agbeko Comrade – BEST MALE SOLDIER 2022, Corporal Quarshie Doris Horla – BEST FEMALE SOLDIER 2022, Sarpong Grace – BEST FEMALE DEFENCE CIVILIAN STAFF 2022 and Sallah Mensah Philip (Carpenter)- BEST MALE DEFENCE CIVILIAN STAFF 2022
The four times Vodafone Music Ghana Awards (VGMA) songwriter of the year Martin King Arthur, popularly known in the entertainment industry as Kofi Kinaata, was the guest artist and his live performance from most of his popular albums blew the COAS, CNS, and CAS and the personnel from their seat to the dancing floor and sang along as a sign of their in-depth understanding of his songs.
There were other entertainment sessions with a cultural display by Abibigromma cultural group as well as the Army HQ Band who gave a great live band session.
Some dignitaries present are the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Maj Gen Thomas Oppong-Peprah, GAF’s Chiefs of the Naval and Air Staff – Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu and Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Frank Kofi Hanson, respectively, the Chief of Staff, General Headquarters – Maj Gen Nicholas Peter Andoh.
Others included Commandant, Ghana Military Academy – Maj Gen Charles Abede Awity, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics – Maj Gen Prince Osei-Owusu, Air Officer Special Duties – AVM Frederick Bekoe, National Coordinator, Ghana Boundary Commission – Maj Gen Emmanuel Kotiah, Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration – AVM Michael Appiah-Agyekum, and former Army Commander – Maj Gen Samuel Odotei (Rtd).
The Chief Staff Officer (Army HQ) and his Deputy – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Charles Agyemang-Prempeh and Brig Gen KK Kumi, respectively, Senior Officers, Officers, the Forces Sergeant Major and Service Sergeant Majors, Regimental Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff, Magadjias, Defence Attaches from the United Kingdom and United States Embassies in Accra, and Friends of GA such as Dr John Watson Otumfuo of Mayfair Estates Ltd were also present.
