The minister inspecting ammunition of the Ghana Armed Forces
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has acknowledged the efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in rescuing persons trapped in the aftermath of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam recently.
The commendation came on the backdrop of rumours that the military had been withdrawn from the spillage duties upon a directive from the top. The rumours were however debunked subsequently.
“The response to the Akosombo Dam disaster and the support offered to the civil and local authorities by units of the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the 48 Engineer Regiment was commendable,” he said.
Mr. Amankwa-Manu, who doubles as the MP for Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency in the Ashanti Region, made these remarks at the annual land combat firepower demonstration exercises held at the Bundase Military Training Camp.
Task Force (MNJTF) Commander, Maj. Gen. Michael Amoah–Ayisi, indicated that the demonstration exercise organised for the 5 Infantry Battalion was supported by 1 and 2 Infantry Battalions of the Southern Command, 66 Artillery Regiment, 15 Armoured Brigade, 48 Engineer Regiment, 18 Signal Brigade, the Army Special Operations Brigade and the Ghana Navy and Air Force.
This exercise, according to Maj. Gen. Amoah–Ayisi, aimed at exposing soldiers to the significance of equipment to a battle group and better understanding of land environment operations.
“It is common knowledge that the protection of the territorial integrity of Ghana as a country against external aggression is the primary constitutional mandate of the Ghana Armed Forces. It also has a second responsibility of maintaining internal security in support of civil authority,” he said.
He, therefore, stated that in implementing its mandate as enshrined in the constitution, the army is ready to fight terrorists, saying, “The army regularly trains and exercises vigorously in order to sharpen their skills to top up our readiness for any eventualities.”
The minister, in the company of high ranking military officials, inspected ammunition and equipment of the army such as the 300 MN Automatic Gun, Husky Navistar, Ratal ICV 90MM, Manroy CAL.50 M3 Browning Heavy Machine Gun, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles among others.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke