New CDS and Service Commanders of Ghana Armed Forces assume duty
Accra, April 3, GNA - The command hierarchy of
the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Friday witnessed changes in
positions when outgoing Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and
service commanders formally handed over their symbols of office
to newly promoted appointees.
Major General Peter Augustine Blay succeeded Real Admiral Arthur
Riby Sampa Nunoo as Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall
Julius Okyere Boateng, Chief of Air Staff handed over to Air
Vice Marshall Samson-Oje, Major General Joseph Narh Adinkrah
succeeded Major General Samuel Anum Odotei as Chief of Army
Staff, Brigadier General Robert Winful, Chief of Staff handed
over to Commodore Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro whiles and Rear Admiral
Matthew Quarshie as Chief of Naval Staff.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Real Admiral Nunoo
expressed his appreciation to the government for the opportunity
to serve the country in his capacity as Chief of Naval Staff for
four years and Acting Chief of the Defence Staff for 3 months
after 42 years of service in the Armed Forces.
Rear Admiral Nunoo said a sound Armed Forces was the bedrock of
democracy in any country and urged the military and civilian
personnel to work hard as a team in order to maintain the
credibility of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He said the challenges associated with the oil find in the
Western Region had placed an extra burden on the navy since it
required maximum protection.
He said lack of spare parts to maintain ageing ships,
accommodation problems and inadequate logistics were some of the
challenges facing the navy.
"The vigilance at sea in safeguarding our natural resources and
combating criminal activities, our excellent performances in
peacekeeping operations and disaster assistance both internally
and externally have earned the navy great commendations. All
these achievements have become possible in the face of extreme
logistical constraint," he said.
Rear Admiral Nunoo urged the rank and file of the navy to offer
his successor the needed support and cooperation as was accorded
to him while in office.
Major General Blay commended Rear Admiral Nunoo for his
professional conduct during the transition period.
He gave the assurance that the Armed Forces would live up to
expectation under his leadership.
Rear Admiral Quarshie called for determination and hard work on
the part of the naval staff for success.
He pledged to work hard to overcome the enormous challenges and
responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders.
Speaking to the media after a farewell parade in his honour,
Major General Odotei urged the media to be careful about reports
that would discourage soldiers from giving of their best.
"Although the armed forces are an institution faced with some
setbacks, we need to maintain the international repute of the
military so the media need to set the pace. We do not need
ethnic or tribal politics in the army because we work in unity,"
he said.
Air Vice Marshall Julius Okyere Boateng urged suppliers,
administrators, engineers, operations and civilian employees to
work as a team for the Air Force to achieve its aim and
ambitions.
"Like any human institution, the Air Force is made up of all
shades of people but there is the need to create conditions that
would ensure equity, opportunity and rewards for even the
weakest. You must be prepared to go the extra mile to achieve
perfection."
GNA
