The Vice President presenting an instrument of office to one of the officers
Government is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to equip the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Latest is the decision to build 15 Forward Operating Bases (FOB) across the northern frontiers for the military.
This is to enable the GAF respond swiftly to any external aggression, including atrocities and violent activities of extremists and terrorists organisations, which continues to increase in parts of the West African sub-region.
The FOBs will be built in Hamile, Tumu, Navrongo, Bawku, Bunkrugu, Bimbila, Wa, Damongo, Saboba and Jirapa.
Additionally, there will be Forward Logistics Bases in Tamale and Bolga respectively.
Speaking at the 2021 graduation parade for Short Service Commission and Special Duties Intake 59 held at the Ghana Military Academy (MAT) on Friday, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stated that the government intended to equip the Ghana Navy with offshore patrol vessels and fast patrol boats to counter any piracy and maritime threats on the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The Ghana Airforce, he said, would also receive assaulted aircrafts for their operational exigencies.
All these investments, according to him “are to ensure that the Ghana Armed Forces are well equipped and motivated to deliver on its mandate of safeguarding the peace, integrity and security of the nation and maintaining Ghana’s contribution to international peace and security.”
A total of 88 cadets comprising 60 males and 28 females were commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces.
The Intake was made up of first and second degree holders with diverse backgrounds including qualifications such as medical officers, logistics, pharmacists and nurses.
The cadets, as part of the training, were introduced to physical training, drills, tactics, field craft, map reading and weapon handling.
The six-month course saw the cadets also receiving lessons on military rudiments to assist in transforming them from their civilian state in order to prepare them ahead of future tasks in their newly acquired profession.
In view of that, the Vice President said government had started strategic expansion and modernisation of the Armed Forces in line with the threat analysis and marching base with the acquisition of equipment, logistics and infrastructure development as well as increasing its manpower base.
The expansion, he said, has already seen the creation and establishment of the Army’s Special Operating Brigade, the Armour Brigade and two Mechanised Battalions.
The Vice President thus urged the military and other security agencies to remain undaunted in the fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey”.
“Our collective vigilance and security consciousness is key in maintaining the peace in the country,” admonished the cadets, and thus, entreated them to uphold discipline, patriotism and responsiveness to all operational exigencies.
On soldiers’ welfare and accommodation, he indicated that a 832-unit accommodation ongoing at all the garisons were at various stages of completion.
Meanwhile, the 330-seating capacity two-storey classroom block and administration block for the Ghana Military Academy is 95 per cent complete.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu