Brigadier-General Samuel Yeboah Asare, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has reaffirmed the GAF’s commitment to addressing external threats to national security.

Speaking at a Land Combat and Fire Power Demonstration Exercise, he emphasized the importance of enhancing the skills and preparedness of ground troops to effectively respond to uncertainties both within and outside the country.

The exercise aimed to showcase the capabilities of the armed forces and reassure the public of their commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty.

Brig-Gen Asare highlighted that ongoing training and readiness are vital components of GAF’s strategy to counter any potential aggression, ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

“It is common knowledge that the protection of the territorial integrity of the country against external aggression is a constitutional mandate of the Ghana Armed Forces.

“The forces also have a secondary role of maintaining internal and external security, support civil authority in this country. The Ghana Army is the lead service in these operations to fulfil this constitutional mandate”, he said

The Land Combat and Fire Power Demonstration Exercise took place at the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) in the Battle Training Camp, Bundasi, near Accra.

The event was part of the training for Senior Course 46 students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC).

The exercise showcased the GAF’s military capabilities in a mock battle scenario. It was attended by 98 senior officer students from the GAF, along with 16 allied officers from other African nations.

Brig-Gen Asare highlighted the significance of the exercise in demonstrating the GAF’s readiness to defend the nation’s territorial integrity.

The exercise illustrated the effective use of fire assets and tactical formations, reinforcing the GAF’s commitment to addressing external threats and ensuring national security.

“The objective of the exercise is to enable the students to appreciate the utilisation of assets of a battle group which formed part of a joint task force to lead an operational framework, the Ghana army’s concept of operations and capabilities, the nature of Land environment and expose them to the military equipment of a battle group”, he explained.

This year’s exercise was particularly elaborate, highlighting the diverse capabilities of the GAF.

The event highlighted the combined efforts of various infantry battalions and supporting units, along with air and naval assistance, to illustrate the armed forces’ readiness to counter aggression and ensure internal security within designated areas.

Troops from the One Battalion of Infantry (1BN), Two Battalion of Infantry (2BN), 64 Battalion of Infantry (64BN), and 66 Artillery Regiment participated actively, alongside the 15 Armoured Brigade and the 48 Engineers Regiment.

The exercise also featured contributions from the Army Special Operations Brigade, with vital air and naval support provided by the Ghana Air Force and Navy, reinforcing the GAF’s commitment to maintaining national security.

Air Vice Marshal Frederick Asare Bekoe, the Chief of Air Staff, emphasized the importance of the exercise in enhancing the readiness of troops to effectively counter aggressors and neutralize potential threats.

He stressed that such exercises were crucial for positioning the military to defend the nation against adversaries who may seek to undermine its stability.

Air Vice Marshal Bekoe urged the troops to maintain professionalism and vigilance, particularly as the country approaches national elections.

He noted the role of the military in safeguarding Ghana’s over three-decade-old democracy, reinforcing the commitment to protect the nation’s democratic processes during this critical period.

“I urged you to bring our professionalism to bear as we prepare towards the elections. We must preserve our status as a democratic nation and jealously guard ourselves against unpatriotic activities that have the potential to derail our achievements over the years.

Air Commodore Thomas Nii Fio Okai, Deputy Commandant of the GAFCSC, commended service commanders and partners for their support through the organisation of the exercise.

The Land Combat Fire Power Demonstration is an annual training event organized by the GAF for students of the senior division course at the GAFCSC.

The exercise aims to enhance the student’s understanding of the joint and interoperable nature of modern military operations.