The Headquarters Central Command has organised an Inter-Unit Drill and Bugle Competition at the Agyemang-Prempeh Square, Idris Barracks, Kumasi, on Friday 20 September 2024.
Competing units drawn from the 3 Infantry Battalion (3Bn), 4 Infantry Battalion (4Bn), 154 Armoured Regiment (154 Armd Regt), and Headquarters Central Command Camp thrilled spectators with spectacular drills and bugle calls.
The General Officer Commanding Central Command (GOC), Brigadier General Michael Kwadwo Opoku, in his opening remarks, indicated that the purpose of the competition, apart from fostering esprit de corps and pride in the Command, was to test the troops' confidence and their ability to execute words of command in a smart and uniform manner.
The Guest of Honour, Major General (Maj Gen) Richard Kwame Opoku-Adusei (Rtd), described drill as an important tool in the military, which should be maintained as a daily routine. He added that Muster Parades, Guard Mounting, and Funeral Drills must be positively exploited to ensure that officers and soldiers appreciate their values.
Maj Gen Opoku-Adusei thanked the GOC and his staff officers for organising the programme and commended the participants for their wonderful display of drills. He also reminded personnel to exhibit a high sense of professionalism during the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, urging them to remain apolitical and avoid favouritism and negative tendencies that could lead to national unrest.
For the drill competition, 154 Armd Regt won the first position, followed by Headquarters Central Command Camp. Third place went to 4Bn, and fourth place went to 3Bn.
In the bugle category, 3Bn came first, followed by Headquarters Central Command Camp. 4Bn took third place, while 154 Armd Regt came in fourth.
After the competition, Brig Gen Michael Opoku, along with the Guest of Honour, Maj Gen Opoku-Adusei, and other dignitaries, commissioned an office block for the Command Sergeant Major.