President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the country is actively readying itself to deal with emerging security threats.
He said the security situation in West Africa, especially in the Sahel required, that the entire security architecture of the country was improved.
“Government is resolute on the need to institute all the necessary measures to safeguard the territorial integrity and security of our nation so as to guarantee the peace Ghana continuously enjoys in the region,” he emphasised.
President Akufo-Addo said this at the review of the 2023 graduation parade of the Ghana Military Academy, and the commissioning of Regular Career Course 62 and Short Service Commission/Special Duties Course 60 in Accra, yesterday.
He said the Ghana Armed Forces, which was responsible for the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of the country, was proportionately spread across the country to maintain continuous surveillance and capability in readiness to respond effectively to any threat from anywhere to the security of the country.
The President said in support of this mandate, government had approved a number of measures for the expansion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and this included the establishment of the National College of Defence Studies, 12 localised battalion units and the Sergeant Majors Units.
In addition, the Directorates of Public Records and Public Relations Unit had been upgraded to departments while the Air Force, Headquarters Support Services Brigade Group at Burma Camp and the Armed Forces Medical Corps had also been expanded.
President Akufo-Addo said the promulgation of the GAF Central Band, Armed Forces Musical School, Armed Forces Fire Service, the School of Ordinance and the Artillery Training School after they were reviewed had been approved.
He said all these were expected to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces to deal decisively with contemporary threats within and outside the country, adding that “the eminent threat in the northern part of Ghana has necessitated the establishment of forward operating and logistics bases along our entire northern border.”
President Akufo-Addo said government had so far awarded contracts for the construction of 12 forward operating bases and three logistics bases to help contain the threats emanating from across the country’s northern frontiers.
“These operating bases which are at various stages of completion will be resourced with adequate logistics to deal with such threats. That have the potential to disrupt the peace and stability of our country,” he said.
The President said the recently established National College of Defence Studies was in fulfilment of the pledge he made in 2022, during the general headquarters West African Security Services Association (WASSA).
He said till date, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College had offered the highest level of military education in the country that was the senior staff course which prepared officers for operational level command and staff appointments.
President Akufo-Addo said the Armed Forces had initiated the process for the grant of a presidential charter for the establishment of the National Defence University which was at an advance stage, adding that “I state here that in fulfilment of my directives, the Armed Forces have established a War College to prepare selective senior officers and civilians working with defence and national security establishments, ministries, departments and agencies in Ghana and allied Africa Countries for strategic level command and staff appointments.”
He commended the graduating cadet and admonished to uphold the professional integrity established by their predecessors and ensure that they protected the democratic legacy of the country.
In all 292 graduating cadets including two allied cadets from the Republic of Guinea were commissioned with Senior Under Officer (SUO) Jacob Awotwi Vanderpuye being adjudged the best all-round cadet of Regular Career Course 62.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
