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Tag: Chief of Army Staff

  • GAFCSC appoints Major General Essien as its commander

    GAFCSC appoints Major General Essien as its commander

    Major General Michael Essien has assumed leadership at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC).

    He succeeds Major General Bismack Kwesi Onwonah, who now holds the position of Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    The transition ceremony, conducted on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at his office in Otu Barracks, Teshie, marks a significant milestone in the college’s history.

    With the esteemed presence of Chief of Staff (COS) at the General Headquarters, Major General Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu, Major General Essien formally took command of the institution.

    During the ceremony, Major General Essien received a detailed briefing on the operational, logistical, and administrative aspects of the college from his predecessor, laying the foundation for his tenure.

    The event featured a quarter guard and a band display, symbolizing the departure of the former commandant and the commencement of the new leader, emphasizing the importance of this transition for the college and its stakeholders.

    Handover ceremonies provide an opportunity for the outgoing Commander to bid farewell to officers and staff of the command, while also fostering rapport-building between the incoming Commanding Officer and the command personnel, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and continuity of operations.

  • Safeguarding Ghana from terrorism requires collaborative efforts – Chief of Army Staff

    Safeguarding Ghana from terrorism requires collaborative efforts – Chief of Army Staff

    The recently appointed Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, has voiced apprehensions regarding the looming threat of terrorism in the sub-region.

    During his inaugural visit to the Central Command after being appointed by President Akufo-Addo, Major General Onwona stressed the importance of the army undergoing comprehensive training to effectively respond to potential terrorist attacks.

    He underscored that Ghana is not immune to the terrorism threats prevalent in the surrounding region.

    Addressing troops during his visit, the Chief of Army Staff commended their dedication and sacrifices in ensuring peace and security both locally and nationally.

    He urged all soldiers to uphold professionalism and diligence, especially during the upcoming election period, to guarantee a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

    Furthermore, Major General Onwona highlighted the significance of commanders ensuring that their troops meet expectations and exhibit exemplary leadership.

    He emphasized, “We all have the responsibility to train and be adequately prepared to respond appropriately and promptly to any imminent terrorist threats.”

    Additionally, Major General Onwona paid a courtesy visit to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, where the importance of the army in maintaining peace and security was underscored. Otumfuo expressed confidence in the Chief of Army Staff for a successful tenure.

    Moreover, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona inaugurated a 20-unit, 2-bedroom accommodation facility and a parade square at the Command headquarters.

    These facilities, constructed under the leadership of Brigadier General Charles Agyemang Prempeh, aim to enhance the welfare of military personnel and maximize productivity.

    “To our Ghana soldiers, I would like to applaud your commitment, dedication, and greater sacrifices you make on a daily basis to ensure peace and security in your area of operational responsibility as well as in the nation as a whole. And much will be expected of each one of us. We have a greater responsibility to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election by performing our duties professionally at all times.

    “I would therefore like to entreat commanders at all levels to ensure that troops placed under their charge live up to expectation and to provide the right kind of leadership during this auspicious period.”

    “Let me also take the opportunity to remind you all about the looming threat of terrorism in our sub-region and the fact that we are by no means immune to the threat that they pose. We all, therefore, have the responsibility to train and be adequately prepared to respond appropriately promptly to any imminent attack,” he stated.

  • Army Chief denies refusing CDS role amid alleged attacks

    Army Chief denies refusing CDS role amid alleged attacks

    Chief of Army Staff, Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, has denied rumors suggesting that he rejected an offer to become the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

    The senior army officer dismissed the unfounded speculations, expressing frustration over the unwarranted criticism he has faced as a result.

    Addressing the issue on JoyNews, he remarked, “The name Oppong-Preprah is causing unease and anxiety, leading to baseless attacks on me. I fail to comprehend the reasons behind these attacks.”

    “Even this morning just before I got here, a publication was sent to me where it is being indicated that I have refused to accept the appointment of CDS and as a result there is a stop in the military shakeup.”

    His remarks come just two weeks after the presidential office issued a statement refuting rumors suggesting a politically-driven reorganization of the military hierarchy to favor the ruling party in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

    Major General Oppong-Peprah clarified that following the spread of these rumors, certain individuals resorted to seeking supernatural intervention to eliminate him.

    Nevertheless, he emphasized that those perceiving him as a problem were misguided.

    “I have been taken to juju people and all that. We have pictures of it. In fact, it was one of the military police gentlemen who brought me pictures. But I am still standing here, I am not dead and I will not die. If you can’t cope up with what I do, just sit down and zip up. That is all,” he said on January 15, 2024.

    Again, he added that people mistake him for an Akyem but he is Bono from Dormaa Ahenkro.

    The high-profile army officer said people might look at his achievements in the security service for which reason they think he is a threat. However, he emphasised that he did not accomplish the successes on his own but it was a collective effort.

    “For the past four years together, teamwork we have achieved so much and people are jealous of us. That is all. I did not do it, we did it as an army together with my staff officers and everyone. Commanding officers team going to Bundase and adding to whatever we are doing over there. It is teamwork, it is not me, Oppong-Preprah so don’t attack me” he added.

  • Chief of Army Staff visits Bundase battle training camp

    Chief of Army Staff visits Bundase battle training camp

    Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Thomas Oppong Peprah, on Wednesday, 26 October, 2023, visited the Battle Training Camp, Bundase.

    His visit was to witness firsthand the preparations of the unit for this year’s Land Combat Firepower Demonstration (LCFD) scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2023.

    The LCFD is held annually to give practical demonstrations of land combat and firepower in real operations to students of the Senior Command and Staff Course from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Teshie, Accra.

    Additionally, the COAS inspected ongoing projects at the camp and expressed satisfaction with the level of development.

    Accompanying the COAS were General Officers Commanding Northern and Southern Commands, Officers from Army Headquarters, and the Acting Sergeant Major of the Army.