The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will begin the process to establish a war college in the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.

The Institution, which is to be established with seed capital from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), is expected to be the capstone of Ghana’s military education system. It would provide and improve the professional education of the highest levels of military leadership when established.

President Akufo-Addo made the announcement at the GAF’s 2022 end-of-year West African Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) celebrations at Burma camp in Accra on Wednesday.

The Commander-in-Chief of the GAF reiterated his commitment to ensuring the continued retooling of transformation to enhance the capacity and capability of the GAF.

He said the government would spare no effort to transform the GAF into a world-class military establishment, pledging that armed forces would be provided with improved training facilities, logistics and infrastructure to deal with contemporary security challenges.

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul expressed his gratitude to the president for retooling the GAF and said that forward operating bases are being established in selected areas in the country due to current military threats.

He used the occasion to commend the hard work and efforts of all personnel both military and civilian, of the GAF.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama said they continued to ensure the country’s internal security, as well as participate in international peace operations.

The CDS applauded the commitment of govt in retooling the GAF to enhance its operational capabilities and assured the people of Ghana to continue to protect the country even at the peril of their lives.

Earlier, President Akufo-Addo presented one hundred and seventy-five (175) vehicles and communication equipment to the GAF, at a ceremony at the Gondar Barracks, Burma Camp. The vehicles included 70 Kamaz Utility Troop Carrying Vehicles, 20 BTR-70 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 20 Husky Armoured Vehicles, and 65 Assorted Toyota Vehicles.

That is the third in three years that the president has presented vehicles and other logistical support to the GAF.

The President commended the Armed Forces for their commitment to ongoing national operations intended to create a secure, peaceful country, contain secessionist activities, and deal with the galamsey menace.

President Akufo-Addo said the govt is re-tooling, constructing and upgrading 15 Forward Operating Bases and new units, and explained that all the efforts of re-tooling and providing the necessary accommodation units are intended to enhance the efficiency of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul expressed the appreciation of the Ministry and the GAF to the president for the vehicles, which he said would boost the efforts of the armed forces to contain security threats at the country’s frontiers.

In a related development, the President also commissioned a 300-bed capacity young soldiers accommodation facility at the 37 Military Hospital.

The GHc5 million facility, which was in collaboration with the Jospong Group of companies, will accommodate newly trained soldiers posted to the hospital to undergo training in medical care.

President Akufo-Addo also inspected ongoing works at a Cardiothoracic Centre at 37 Military Hospital, which is being put up by Assin Central MP, Hon Kennedy Agyapong.

The project is currently 40 per cent complete and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The President also handed over the military high command a UN level four Covid-19 hospital located near the Airforce base in Accra.

The 100-bed facility with pharmacies, operating rooms, and intensive care unit capacity, will provide emergency medical services for UN and international NGO staff members sick with COVID-19.

The President also inspected an armoured vehicle assembly plant at the Gondar barracks and commissioned the new office block for the Chief of the Defence Staff of the GAF Headquarters at Burma Camp.

He also cut the sod for the commencement of a 2000-unit housing project for the Ghana Navy’s garrisons in Accra, Tema and Takoradi

By: Isaac Clottey