Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah has held all ranks maiden durbar at Burma Hall in Burma Camp on Friday 22 March, 2024.

The durbar provided the platform for the CDS to outline his vision to produce a highly motivated, well-trained, well-equipped Armed Forces with quality Officers, Soldiers, and DCS poised to perform all assigned tasks. He enumerated three (3) thematic working areas; including motivation, training, and equipping personnel to accelerate his vision, and called for teamwork among personnel.

As part of his itemised priority, the CDS disclosed the need to establish Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) School for the Needy to educate brilliant military children. He also mentioned the construction of a new Medical Resource Hospital in Burma Camp by Mayfair Consortium Limited exclusively for Officers, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff (DCS) and families.  Adding that the structure would be completed within eight (8) months.

Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah spoke about biennial review of pay and allowances, promotion of personnel in line with expansion drive, provision of family life and counselling offices in all Garrisons, construction of water farms in all barracks and procurement of electric power transformers to augment the National Grid.

The CDS underscored the need to improve infrastructure at all training schools, pursue the accreditation of the establishment of National Defence University (NDU), and promote international training activities. He added that military engagements such as Joint operation training, Riverine operation training, modern Peace Support Operation techniques, overseas courses in Counter-terrorism Counter insurgency – VEOS including exercise Flintlock and Obangame, would continue in earnest.

Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah, emphasised the importance of equipping troops and constructing accommodation units to cater for all ranks at various locations within the Garrison. He further disclosed government approval to purchase new Soft-skinned and Armour protected vehicles, Operational Piloted Vehicles (OPVs), Fast Patrol Boats, Attack Helicopters and Ammunitions for GAF.

Prior to his opening remarks, the CDS congratulated GAF Sports Team for the sterling performance and medals received so far at the ongoing All African Games in Ghana. He revealed that GAF has fourteen (14) players in the National Hockey team currently playing and eyeing gold medal.