President Nana Akufo-Addo
PRESIDENT Nana Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to ensure the peace and security in the country is sustained as the country has been a major contributor to global peace and security.
Speaking at the Ghana Military Academy 2024 Graduation Parade which witnessed the passing out of 73 cadet officers, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana is regarded as the sixth largest troop group contributing country to United Nations (UN) peace support operations, with over 2,600 personnel deployed in some of the most challenging conflict zones.
Such a legacy, according to President Akufo-Addo, is a source of pride for the country and needs to be safeguarded through integrity and dedication of the military.
“Ghana’s peacekeeping legacy is a source of pride for our nation. Since the first deploy had in 1960 to the UN Peacekeeping Force in the Republic of Congo, Ghana has consistently been a beacon of peace and stability on the world stage.
“Today, we stand as the sixth largest troop group contributing country to UN peace support operations, with some 2,600 personnel deployed in some of the most challenging conflict zones,” he stated.
The 73 graduating cadet officers from the Ghana Military Academy (GMA) into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) had undergone a transformative six-month short service commission and special duties training course 61, designed to forge them into disciplined and skilled officers capable of defending the sovereignty of the nation.
They have embodied a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including engineering, law, and medicine, thereby bringing a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives into their military training.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the commissioning of the cadets into the GAF did not only reflect their tenacity, but also a deliberate and sustained effort of the GMA to produce officers of character and competence.
He explained that the dynamic and unpredictable security landscape of the sub-region, ranging from environmental degradation to illegal mining and terrorism required that the GAF remained vigilant, adaptable, and prepared to confront those security threats.
“It is in this context that the government has embarked on a progressive expansion of the Armed Forces in ensuring a military presence across all sixteen regions of our nation,” he disclosed.
President Akufo-Addo said his government is committed to retooling and equipping GAF with the needed logistics and improving its healthcare and medical delivery capacity.
He urged the graduating cadet officers to serve with integrity and lead with vision anytime they were called upon, and thanked Brig. Gen C. Agyemang-Prempeh, Acting Commandant, Ghana Military Academy and faculty members for maintaining the highest standards for which it was established.
Junior Under Officer Yaro Mohammed-Keilan was adjudged the Overall Best Cadet as well as winning the Leadership award, while Cadet Corporal Wuni Nadia Isabelle and Cadet Sergeant Gyamfi Samuel Ameyaw received the Best Tactics and Commandant’s awards, respectively.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke