By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The premier Commanding Officer (CO) of the 10 Mechanised Battalion, Colonel Francis Kwasi Gyimah has been pulled out of office after a three-year successful duty in the Upper West Regional Capital, Wa.
He handed over the command of the 10 Mechanised Battalion which has a hippo as its totem to Lieutenant Colonel Godfred Asampong in an impressive ceremony at the Aggrey Barracks in Wa.
GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that among the dignitaries from the military at the event were the Deputy Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters, Burma Camp, Major-General Joseph Aphour and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command, Brigadier-General Matthew Essien.
A parade under the command of Captain Albert Mawuli Tanson put up spectacular drills to spice up the occasion.
Colonel Francis Kwasi Gyimah who has been elevated to take up another appointment as Director Training at the General Headquarters Defence Intelligence told the gathering that it was not easy commanding the Wa unit, but with the support of his officers and men, they were able to perform above expectations in their operations.
“Some of the operations we undertook over the period included, ‘Operation Calm Life’, ‘Operation Halt’,’Operation Desert Rock’,’Operation Peace Train’, ‘Operation Sit Down Look’, ‘Operation Gong-gong’, and ‘Operation Conquest Fist’, and sometimes ‘Operation Boafo’ as when the need arises to support NADMO [National Disaster Management Organisation]”, Colonel Gyimah stated.
Touching on administration, he indicated that they did their best in ensuring that qualified and deserving personnel were promoted and mentioned a number of projects executed during his tenure. Colonel Gyimah was very thankful to all those who supported him in his line of duty and asked the same for his successor.
The GOC, Northern Command, Brigadier-General Matthew Essien commended the Wa Unit for being consistent in the delivery of its core mandate in helping the military high command to achieve its goal. He continued that the unit has proved over the years to be a formidable force among equals in performing various assignments under its premier Commanding Officer and pledged further support to the Unit.
Brigadier-General Essien: “To the incoming Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Godfred Asampong, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment. I am convinced that your wealth of experience over the years will propel the Unit in achieving its mission.”
He stated that the Command Headquarters is always ready to assist the Unit in achieving the desired goals, saying the Northern belt is faced with imminent threat of violent extremism.
“In the light of this emerging security threat and malice in our society, it places immense challenge on security personnel.This daunting challenge must however be approached with a lot of tact, decisiveness and boldness to effectively and efficiently create that enabling environment for sound uninterrupted national development,” Brigadier-General Essien observed.
The GOC advised Lt. Col. Asampong to stick to his ideals and principles, adding that it is only when he stays true to himself that he can extend the same personnel under his command.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih paid tribute to Col. Gyimah for his outstanding leadership and charged his successor, Lt. Col. Asampong to build on the strong foundation that has been laid by his predecessor.
“Lieutenant Colonel Asampong, you are taking the reins of a Unit with a proud history and a legacy of excellence. I am confident that you will lead with distinction, building on the strong foundation laid by your predecessor,” Dr Bin Salih emphasized.
Other members of the Upper West Regional Security Council as well as representatives of the Wa Naa and Busa Naa graced the occasion.
