Equipping military to combat terrorists threats top government priority, says Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has reemphasized the commitment of his administration to provide the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), with requisite resources and tools to carry out their core mandate of securing the territory integrity of the nation, particularly, from terrorists activities.

Addressing the 2022 graduation parade of the Ghana Military Academy regular career course 61 at the square of the Academy today 12 August 2022, the reviewing officer, President Akufo-Addo said the threats of terrorism are a clear and present danger, but the strong partnership between government and the GAF has kept the State safe and will long continue to do same.

“In view of the contemporary and emerging and future threats in our region” President Akufo-Addo said, “addressing security issues cannot be business as usual. Government has thus approved the expansion of the Ghana Armed Forces to cater for these threats”.

“The strategic expansion and modernization of the Ghana Armed Forces in line with the threat analysis and the acquisition of the requisite equipment, logistics, infrastructure development and increase in manpower, are being pursued vigorously” President Akufo-Addo said.

“As part of efforts to enhance operational capability, combat efficiency and logistical capacity of the Armed Forces, measures have been put in place in furtherance of restructuring and retooling”.

“We are determined to equip our Armed Forces to deal with the contemporary threats in the region as well as other internal security challenges and contain security threats from violent extremists and terrorists groups along our Northern boarders” the President added.

Military Expansion

As part of efforts to expand the GAF, President Akufo-Addo indicated that “additional bases, specialized units, and brigades have been created with the acquisition of requisite equipment to enhance operations, particularly, along our Northern frontiers”.

“The construction and equipping of 15 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across our Northern frontiers for the Armed Forces for the Northern Boarder Project are on track”.

“These FOBs include FOB Dollar Power, FOB Hamile, FOB Tumu, FOB Navrongo, FOB Bawku, FOB Nalerigu, FOB Bongurugu, FOB Saboba, FOB Bimbilla, FOB Damango, FOB Bole, FOB Jirapa, Forward Logistical Base at Wa, Forward Logistical Base at Bolgatanga and Main Logistical Base at Tamale” the President said.

Graduating Officers

Over all 161 officer cadets graduated into fully fledged officers of the prestigious Ghana Armed Forces.

The breakdown of the Regular Career Course 61 are 113 from the Army, 23 from the Navy, 20 from the Airforce, and 5 Overseas Trained Cadets.

Award Winners

The Chief of the Air Staff award, present to the Air Force Cadet who placed first in the order of merit of the Regular Career Course 61 (Air Force), went to F/CDT Amedimwole Elizabeth Ursula.

The Chief of the Naval Staff’s Award – Sextant Award, given to the Midshipman adjudged the best in Navai warfare and Operations from the Regular Career Course 61 (Navy), went to JUO Aggrey Benedict Ekow Adjaye.

The Chief of the Army Staff’s Award, awarded to the Army Cadet who placed first in the order of merit of the Regular Career Course 61 (Army). went to SUO Appiah – Hanson Emanuel.

Academic Cane, awarded to the Officer Cadet adjudged best in Academic Studies of the Regular Career Course 61, went to JUO Aggrey Benedict Ekow Adjaye and the Military Cane, awarded to the Officer Cadet adjudged best in Military Studies of the Regular Career Course 61, was secured by JUO Asare Kofi Adom.

The Sword of Honour, awarded to the best all round Officer Cadet in the Regular Career Course, was baged by SUO Appiah – Hanson Emanuel.

The Ghana Military Academy

The Ghana Military Academy (GMA) was established on 1 April, 1960 after years of reliance on foreign Military Academies to commission potential Ghanaian Officers for the Ghana Armed Forces.

The Academy grew out of the Regular Officers Special Training Schools (ROSTSs) which was established at MATS, Teshie, in 1953.

This School provided 6 months preparatory training for selected cadets from the British West African colonies namely:- Nigeria, The Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, prior to their being sent to the UK or other overseas countries for further Officer training and commissioning.

Since its establishment, the Academy has produced over 3,500 Ghanaian Officers. Some have retired while the rest are now serving in various capacities in the Armed Forces and in the country as a whole.

The Academy has also trained Cadets from some sister African countries, notably Nigeria, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Benin, The Gambia, Togo and Guinea. The first commissioning ceremony of the Academy was held on 30 September, 1961 for 35 Officer Cadets.

In 1961, the Ghana Government arranged for a Joint Military Training Team from Britain and Canada to continue with training until suitably experienced and qualified Ghanaians were ready to take over.

Wilberforce Asare

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