The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has conducted the annual Land Combat and Fire Power Demonstration Exercise at the Army Peace Operation Training School (APOTS), Bundasi on Friday, 27 October, 2023.

The exercise formed part of the training for students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Course 45. It tested the capability and readiness of the military to defend the territorial integrity of the county with fire assets available to a battle group and joint task force. The exercise depicted the components of an Infantry Battalion and other supporting units needed to ward off aggression and maintain internal security within a geographical area.

The 5 Infantry Battalion formed the nucleus of the Battle Group exercise and played the lead role in the demonstration with supporting assets from the Special Forces Brigade, 15 Armoured Brigade, 66 Artillery Regiment and other Combat Supporting Units of the Ghana Army. The Ghana Air Force provided strategic air support whilst the Ghana Navy controlled and defended the littoral space throughout the exercise.

The Deputy Minister for Defence, Honourable (Hon) Kofi Amankwa-Manu acknowledged that the exercise was part of the building blocks towards the career development of students of Course 45 who are future Commanders, Staff Officers that would be entrusted with the security of their respective countries.

He urged GAF to stand in readiness to guarantee the security of the country, since the prevailing security situation in the West African sub-region kept evolving.  

“As stakeholders, let us not relent on our constitutional duties and responsibilities to shape policies and contingencies in the defence of our homeland”, he added.

Hon Amankwa-Manu commended GAF for embarking on operations such as Halt, Calm Life, Ahodwo, Boafo, amongst others to preserve the peace and tranquility Ghana enjoys. He also commended the 5 Infantry Battalion and the supporting elements for discharging their task diligently and professionally.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, Major General Michael Ayisi Amoah said, since the Ghana Army plays lead role in land operations, discharging its constitutional mandate of defending the country from any external aggressions, as well as undertake joint task operations with Ghana Police Service and other civil authorities, it trains and exercises vigorously in order to sharpen its skills and evaluate its readiness for any eventuality.

He indicated that the exercise shows how a battle group operating as part of a Joint Task Force employs its resources to block and defeat an imaginary enemy attack. He added that GAF was formidable, dependable and always ready to defend the country and its interests overseas.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Oppong Peprah, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Yakubu, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Bekoe, Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Major General Onwana, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command, Brigadier General Essien, some Senior Officers, and Diplomats were present at the occasion.