President John Mahama, the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, on Friday commissioned a fleet of vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces.

This is part of the government’s modernisation drive to retool the Armed Forces' military services.

The fleet of vehicles, which includes pickup trucks, buses, and land cruisers, is to enhance the mobility and operational efficiency of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The commissioning of the fleet of vehicles took place at the 2025 West African Soldiers’ Social Activity (WASA) at the Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces at Burma Camp in Accra.

WASA is an annual get-together for members of the security forces to enable them to take time off from their busy schedules to interact and appreciate one another.

“This is just the first phase of vehicles that the Armed Forces are to receive,” the Commander-In-Chief said.

He noted that plans were also well advanced to procure armoured personnel carriers, strategic drones, and advanced communication systems to establish Ghana’s first state-of-the-art Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre in the northern sector.

He said they would set up a Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre at the Tamale Air Force Base.

“This Centre will be responsible for maintaining surveillance of our borders and will also have an assault capacity in the event that our country comes under any attack,” he said.

“Additional acquisitions for the Armed Forces will include offshore patrol vessels for the Ghana Navy, four brand new Eurocopter helicopters for the Ghana Air Force, a new executive jet for the Ghana Air Force for the use of travelling executives, including myself, and other critical military logistics.”

President Mahama announced that the Government had also taken the strategic decision to establish two new military units in the Oti and Central Regions.

This initiative reflects the President's emerging security dynamics and the need to strengthen the national response framework.

He said the ongoing recruitment drive, which began last year, aims to increase the Ghana Armed Forces workforce by 12,000 personnel over the next four years, thereby enhancing operational capacity and sustainability.

“Let me once again express our nation’s deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our youth who died in the stampede at El-Wark Stadium during the recent recruitment exercise,” he said.

“May their souls find peaceful repose in heaven, and for those who were injured in the exercise, I wish them a speedy recovery.”

President Mahama said following the incident, the Military High Command established a Board of Inquiry to investigate the event and make recommendations to prevent any similar occurrence in future, declaring that “We await the Board of Inquiry’s final report”.

Regarding the Welfare of Military Personnel, the President said that it remains a top priority.

He said he fully supports initiatives such as the Mutual Health Fund for service personnel and their families, which would improve access to health care and financial security.

He said the seed money for the Welfare Trust Fund would be provided by the National Security Secretariat.

He also acknowledged the generosity of Mr Kofi Appiah, CEO of Day Ventures, for supporting this noble cause.

President Mahama said the strength of any armed force lies in the professionalism, welfare, and motivation of its personnel.

He reiterated that as President and Commander-in-Chief, he remains firmly committed to ensuring that the Ghana Armed Forces are adequately resourced, well-trained, and properly equipped to meet both current and future challenges.

He said in collaboration with the Military High Command, the Government was pursuing strategic initiatives, including the completion of forward operating bases across the length and breadth of this country.

“I am happy to announce that two of these facilities in the northern part of the country are ready for commissioning,” he said.

Adding that adequate funding had also been allocated in this year’s budget to complete another four forward operating bases before the end of this year.

He said these facilities would serve as the first line of defence against infiltration and extremist threats to our country, while enhancing operational readiness, logistics support, and rapid response capabilities.