The Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, has pledged to prioritise the completion of ongoing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) projects before initiating new ones. He made this known during his maiden visit to the then Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, at Burma Camp. The visit formed part of his broader efforts to familiarise himself with the GAF Command and to inspect ongoing and stalled projects.
General Oppong-Peprah warmly welcomed the Minister and described the visit as the beginning of a promising partnership that would advance Ghana’s defence and security architecture. He highlighted GAF’s ongoing commitment to aligning with international military standards and spoke of deliberate efforts to promote gender inclusion within the Forces. He proudly cited the recent appointment of Major General Anita Asmah as the first female Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria as a testament to these efforts.
Assuring the Minister of GAF’s full support, General Oppong-Peprah expressed confidence that, under Dr Boamah’s leadership, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces would reach new heights in their service to the nation. He stressed that the Minister’s guidance and support would be instrumental in enhancing operational readiness, modernising military equipment, and improving the welfare of all personnel.
The Minister was briefed on several aspects of GAF operations, including internal and external joint operations, land acquisition matters, ongoing infrastructure projects, financial obligations, and operational challenges.
In his remarks, Hon Dr Omane Boamah expressed appreciation to the CDS and the Service Chiefs for their dedication and commitment. He urged the leadership of GAF to intensify their efforts to accelerate the pace of development within the Armed Forces. He pledged to ensure the completion of all uncompleted projects and to initiate new ones only with clearly defined timelines and financial backing. He encouraged continuous dialogue with the Ministry of Finance to address outstanding debts, including the payment of gratuities. He encouraged the Command to create a supportive environment that would enhance morale and inspire personnel to safeguard the territorial integrity and internal peace of Ghana.
During his visit, the Minister toured various headquarters, interacted with directors and staff, and inspected several ongoing and stalled projects, some of which date as far back as 2010. These included the Duala Redevelopment Project, which aims to provide accommodation for 120 families and reduce GAF’s 17,000-unit housing deficit, as well as a hospital project dedicated to the health needs of GAF personnel and their families. He also inspected the National College of Defence Studies, water storage facilities, and the Base Ordnance Depot (BOD) Bands Line, which comprises the BOD Headquarters, accommodation units, a warehouse, a school, and a football park. His tour continued to the Ghana Military Academy at Teshie, where he visited four newly constructed classrooms for instructors and cadets and inspected the Officer Cadets’ Mess.
