The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Frank Hansen, has commissioned a modern multi-purpose conference hall as part of the ongoing development and transformation of the Bundase Training Camp (BTC).
The short commissioning ceremony took place at the forecourt of the Conference Hall in Bundase on Monday, April 12, 2021.
The facility is part of the ongoing development and transformation of the training camp and includes a 1,000 capacity auditorium with modern seating facilities and a briefing room fitted with two electronic projectors with large screens, public address systems, air-conditions, televisions sets, ceiling fans, among others.
AVM Hansen was gratified for the honor done him as the Guest of Honor to commission such an edifice that according to him will serve a great purpose not only as an assembly place, but also as an auditorium for training purposes.
He recalled that, a fortnight ago, he joined the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah to Bui where the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) cut the sod for the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB), adding that, such developments depict the forward march of the Army, in particular, and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in general. He therefore encouraged other services to emulate the laudable example of the COAS and the Army.
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The CAS further disclosed that there has been several discussions at Command and Staff levels in the past to streamline and modernize training in GAF.
“These involved the provision of modern infrastructure for teaching and to accommodate troops, however these ideas did not materialize until May last year when Maj Gen Oppong-Peprah led his staff officers to boldly launch these projects including the construction of the modern troop’s accommodation and the Central Auditorium which would culminate in the establishment of the Army Operations Training School,” he revealed
AVM Frank Hansen admonished troops who go to train at BTC to uphold their brand as Peacekeepers because it is a very important brand and a vital foreign policy for Ghana, adding that it tells who they are and what they can do as a military. The Cas also encouraged troops to imbibe the quality of the training they undergo at the Camp and operate on the professional knowledge they acquire.
He commended the contractor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Structures and Logistics, Sampson Opare Agyemang, for the quality of work and timely delivery.
The COAS – Maj Gen Oppong-Peprah urged personnel of the Ghana Army, not to see progress made in general infrastructural provisions obtained in less than a year, as a success by “General Oppong-Peprah”, but as what teamwork can do, in spite of COVID-19 restrictions.
“All these tell us that when you stay united, there is nothing that you cannot do. And I promise you that if we work together, in the few couple of years before I bow out of office, you will see the change that we can make”, the Army Commander stated amidst deafening acclaim.
“Today, there are signs of unity amongst us, but it should not be about me, but about me and my team, of which all of you soldiers, are part. Carry this attitude and tell yourself that ‘there is nothing that would stop me, it is a forward march and I will march on”, General Oppong-Peprah stated.
The COAS intimated to the soldiers about training regimes; “I am not training soldiers to compete with antelopes and horses, so do not be afraid of training, just do your best”, and the response was by no means little.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Michael Amoah Ayisi, Director-General, International Peace Support Operations (IPSO) – Brig Gen Kwesi Mends, Director-General Logistics – Brig Gen Prince Osei-Owusu, Chief Staff officer (CSO), Army – Brig Gen Agyemang-Prempeh and the CEO, Silicon Pro – Sam Opare-Agyemang.
By Shiela Satori Mensah