The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has undertaken his maiden working visit to 2 Garrison in Takoradi from Tuesday, 23 to Thursday, 25 September 2025, as part of efforts to familiarise himself with units and personnel under his command.

Addressing an all-ranks durbar, Lieutenant General Agyapong outlined his vision of building a cohesive, professional and motivated force. He emphasised that the welfare of personnel would remain a top priority to ensure commitment and efficiency in discharging duties.

The Chief of the Defence Staff underscored that every task assigned must reflect professionalism and dedication, pledging to secure the necessary logistics and equipment to enhance the Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) operational readiness. He further stressed the role of the military in safeguarding national and regional stability, urging troops to remain resolute in supporting civil authorities and contributing to peace and security efforts.

Reiterating his commitment to reviving core military values, Lieutenant General Agyapong announced the reintroduction of training programmes such as the Basic Fitness Test (BFT), Exercise Tiger’s Path and Exercise Fire Blast. According to him, these initiatives would strengthen teamwork, promote healthy lifestyles and boost morale among personnel.

Lieutenant General Agyapong also expressed concern over the rising cases of Absence Without Official Leave (AWOL) and cautioned personnel against unauthorised operations, recruitment fraud and other misconduct. He encouraged those seeking to exit the service to follow proper procedures, stressing that discipline remained the bedrock of the Armed Forces.

During an operations briefing, the Flying Group Commander of Air Force Base Takoradi, Group Captain Selasie Agbenyefia; Command Operations Officer of Western Naval Command, Captain (Ghana Navy) Michael Cudjoe and Commanding Officer of 2 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Tetteh Nartey, updated the Chief of the Defence Staff on the administrative, operational and logistical state of their respective bases, while highlighting key projects and challenges.

 As part of the visit, Lieutenant General Agyapong and his entourage toured and inspected ongoing projects at 2 Infantry Battalion, the Western Naval Command and the Air Force Base, Takoradi. They were conducted around various facilities to acquaint themselves with the infrastructure, operations and challenges of the bases.

 In a gesture of goodwill, the commanders of the various bases presented souvenirs and gifts to the Chief of the Defence Staff, who in turn reciprocated with tokens of appreciation. The exchange symbolised mutual respect and further strengthened the bond of leadership within the Garrison.