The Ghana Armed Forces have demonstrated its operational readiness to defend the country against external aggression at the 2026 Land Combat Fire Demonstration Exercise held at Bundase Training Camp in the Greater Accra Region.
The exercise formed part of the training programme for students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Senior Division Course 48.
The exercise was executed by the Fifth Infantry Battalion as the lead and host unit, supported by elements of the First and Second Infantry Battalions, 16th Artillery Brigade, 15th Armoured Brigade, 14th Engineer Brigade, 17th Army Signal Brigade and the Army Special Operations Brigade.
It aimed at testing the operational readiness, firepower, and battlefield coordination of the Ghana Armed Forces in responding to external threats.
On the weapons display, various small arms and light weapons including rifles, RPGs, LMG L4A4, Pistol M&P-9, CZ 999 Scorpion, and Taurus PT 92 AF were put into practical demonstration on their effective use against enemy forces. Artillery equipment was also displayed as part of the exercise.
Addressing the exercise, the Vice Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Peter Toobu Lanchene, described the demonstration as an important exercise to showcase the military’s capabilities and preparedness.
He said the 2026 Land Power Combat demonstration is an important exercise to demonstrate military capabilities and preparedness, in order for the military to show that they are capable of performing their constitutional mandated duty of defending the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West said “the sovereignty of this nation, the defence of this nation, is in the hands of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
“If there is any threat anywhere around us, and you find a way to witness what has been demonstrated today, you better go back and tell your masters that Ghana is a no-go area. Our Ghana Armed Forces is prepared and they are capable to protect and defend this nation,” he added.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces Joint Taskforce, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, described the Land Combat Firepower Demonstration as one of the key operational training activities on the Ghana Armed Forces annual calendar.
He added that the exercise serves as a forum for cross-service learning, professional exchange and capability demonstration, essential for developing the next generation of operational commanders.
Brig. Gen. Awaribey outlined five objectives for this year’s exercise: to demonstrate the integration and employment of fire support assets by a battle group operating within a joint task force across deep, close and rear operations; to illustrate the Ghana Army’s concept of operations and its current capabilities within the land component of joint warfare.
Also, the exercise aims to expose students to the realities of the land battle space, its complexity, tempo and the interdependence of manoeuvre, fires and sustainment; to familiarise participants with major platforms, systems and weapons that constitute the Ghana Army’s combined arms capability; and to reinforce interoperability and mission command principles in a contested multi-domain environment.
The demonstration also integrates the Ghana Navy and Air Force, whose participation underscores the Armed Forces’ ability to synchronise efforts across land, sea and air to achieve unified mission objectives.
“This demonstration is not merely a training routine. It is a testament to our combat readiness, interoperability, situational awareness and command and control,” he said.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke