Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned an office block at Burma Camp to be used as a temporary Army Headquarters.
He also cut the sod for the construction of a befitting headquarters edifice for the Ghana Army. When completed, the 37 offices block with three conference rooms, an armoury and a kitchen—named after General Odartey-Wellington—will be used as an annex to the yet-to-be constructed headquarters.
Vice-President Bawumia lauded the “very professional attitude” of the Ghana Army, which has seen the outfit continue to defend the nation against internal and external aggression.
He pledged government’s continued support to the military and the other security agencies to enable them to discharge their duties more effectively.
“It is clear that given the needed resources, our Army is ready to give off its best, holding nothing back to make our country and themselves proud,” he said, adding “I wish to assure you that the government will continue to work closely with the Military High Command to ensure that your logistics and operational needs including equipment, clothing and accommodation are adequately met and on time for both your internal and external operations. I can assure you the Ghana Army would receive its fair share of the support being provided by the government to the Ghana Armed Forces.”
He called for greater collaboration between the security agencies, pointing out that the military’s support in the security sector had brought about sanity in most of the troubled spots across the country.
“I will urge you to continue to show commitment and dedication to ensure that all trouble spots across the country are brought under control. I urge you to continue to work closely with your civilian counterparts as well as your sister security agencies/institutions for the safety and security of the citizenry in the country,” he stressed.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General William Azuri Ayamdo said the Army Headquarters Complex was envisaged by Major General Richard Opoku Adusei, who, while serving as Chief of Army Staff, saw the need to create an additional space to relocate certain offices of the Army Headquarters.
“The architectural designing was initiated in 2014 and initially drawn by 48 Engineer Regiment to meet the COAS vision and purpose for the structure,” he said.
He revealed that the first floor of the structure would be occupied by the administration wing of the headquarters while the second and third floors would house the training and logistics wings of the Ghana Army.
“The actual construction commended in 2015 and was solely supported by Mr. Godfred Andoh, a civilian and friend to the Ghana Army,” he added.
Family members of Major General Neville Alexander Odartey –Wellington were at the event to witness the commissioning of the annex block named after their father.
Comfort Odartey –Wellington, daughter of the slain Major General in an address thanked the Military High Command for honoring their father.
She said, “Our dad will be very happy wherever he is for the honour done him …”
Also present were the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) Lt Gen. O B Akwa , the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama, other senior military officers and others.
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)
BY Linda Tenyah-Ayettey