At the meeting, the CDS expressed his appreciation and admiration for the Generals’ exceptional professionalism and dedicated service to the country.

He extended gratitude on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the Ghana Armed Forces.

He then informed the Generals that, to aid command and control in the Armed Forces, many of them present would be honourably released from service in accordance with Ghana Armed Forces regulations.

The Commandant of the National College of Defence Studies, Major General Irvine Aryeetey, speaking on behalf of the Generals, said the current changes in the Military High Command structure were not unusual but consistent with the history and tradition of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He explained that, as tradition demands, new intakes succeed their predecessors. He cited the transition from then-CDS Lieutenant General O.B. Akwa to Vice Admiral S. Amoama as an example—five intakes apart (Intakes 18 and 23). Similarly, the change between Vice Admiral S. Amoama and General Thomas Oppong-Peprah involved three intakes (Intakes 23 and 26).

He concluded that the current change in command between the immediate past CDS, General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, and the current CDS, Major General William Agyapong—four intakes apart—was well within military tradition.

He expressed gratitude to the CDS for formally inviting and honouring them, describing the gesture as a novelty.

The meeting concluded with a luncheon hosted by the CDS, during which he wished the outgoing Generals well in their future endeavours.

Also present at the meeting were the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters.

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He assumed duty last Monday, shortly after a Transfer of Authority Parade was held at the General Headquarters in Accra.

Prior to becoming the CDS, Major General Agyapong was promoted to the rank of a Two-Star General by President John Dramani Mahama.

His promotion was among those of the newly appointed service chiefs, as confirmed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

The promotions took effect from last Monday, ahead of the formal handing over by the outgoing administration.

Major Gen. Agyapong was decorated with his new rank by the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah.

The event marks a significant milestone in his military career.

Role

Maj. Gen. Agyapong, in his address at the transfer of authority ceremony, pledged to dedicate himself fully to safeguarding the nation’s security.

He assured Ghanaians of working tirelessly to strengthen the Armed Forces and protect the country from domestic and regional threats.

As the CDS, he will oversee the strategic direction and operations of the Ghana Armed Forces and collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the nation’s safety and security.

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The purpose of the visit was to enhance collaboration between the Police and the Ghana Armed Forces and explore other avenues to ensure the continuous peace and security of the country.

This marks Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah’s maiden official visit to the Police Headquarters since assuming the highest military office.

Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah assured the Police leadership of maintaining the strong working relationship between the two institutions for the betterment of Ghana, building upon the legacies of his predecessors.

IGP Dampare, on behalf of the Police leadership, congratulated the CDS on his appointment and expressed gratitude for the visit.

He also assured him of the commitment of the Police Administration to continuously work with the Ghana Armed Forces and all the sister security agencies in the country.

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Until his elevation to this high office in January 2024 by President Akufo-Addo, the former student of Prempeh College, served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The Prempeh College Old Students was led by the Global President and Board Chairman of Prempeh College, Senior Benjamin Kweku Acolatse Esq., who also doubles as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in charge of Finance and Administration.

He was accompanied by some members of the 1981/1983 year group led by Senior Kwaku Asamoah Addo and the President of the Greater Accra branch Senior Eric Osei Afriyie.

The group was at the Military headquarters on Thursday, 8th February 2024 to, among other things, show their support to their very own for his achievement and wish him well in his new office, a role they believe he will perform without a shred of doubt due to his foresight, love and long service to mother Ghana, imbued in him by his alma mater, Prempeh College.

In his remarks,  the Chief of Defence Staff expressed his profound appreciation to the Amanfo) fraternity especially the 1981/1983 year group for always being there for him  in both good and bad times.

Senior Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah recounted his days at the College as  a Cadet Corp, a period that shaped his love into service. Though many of his colleagues gained admission to various universities, He chose the army over business administration at the University of Ghana.

The Prempeh College Old Students  presented the CDS, a plaque from the 1981/1983 year group , an artistic portrait of himself done by students of the visual arts department of Prempeh College and a certificate of honor from Prempeh College Old Students Association to honor and celebrate him for lifting high the image of the Prempeh College and Amanfo) fraternity.

Senior Benjamin Kweku Acolatse took the opportunity to inform Senior Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah about some activities lined up for the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Prempeh College this year.

Prempeh College was 75 years on the 5th of February.

A special guard of honor was held by the College Cadet Corps at Prempeh College on that day with an official launch scheduled for Saturday, 24th February 2024 at Prempeh College. He was accordingly invited to grace the occasion.

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The appointment, according to a communique by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communication at the presidency takes effect from February 1, 2024, pending consultation with the yet-to-be-constituted Council of State.

In addition, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona has been appointed as the Chief of Army Staff to take over from the new CDS.

Major Oppong-Peprah succeeds Rear Admiral Seth Amoama who is due for retirement.

“This appointment has been made following the completion of the tour of duty and subsequent retirement from the Ghana Armed Forces, on 1st February 2024, of the current Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama,” the statement said.

Mr Arhin in the statement on behalf of the President “Expressed his gratitude to him for his dedicated and meritorious service to the Ghana Armed Forces and to the nation.”

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Issah Adams Yakubu will remain as the Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshall Frederick Kwasi Asare Bekoe as Chief of Air Staff.

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Below is the statement:

They must uphold discipline, commitment, and professionalism as a mantle in all their roles of endeavour, he stated.

“Let us remind ourselves that it is our duty to support the Government’s effort by providing an enabling security environment for accelerated national development and growth, and thereby improving the livelihood of the citizenry,” he added.

Vice Admiral Amoama, in his address to troops during his end-of-year reception after a health walk, in Accra, said the uniformed personnel owed it a duty to serve the nation.

He encouraged troops to guard the GAF’s reputation of professionalism both internally and more particularly, during international duties such as peacekeeping operations.

“On the International scene, let us continue to maintain our good image and high professional standards in the various Peacekeeping Theatres such as Lebanon, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Gambia, Mali and Guinea-Bissau,” he said.

He also commended the troops for their loyalty, professionalism, integrity, and dedication to the cause of the nation.

That, according to him, enabled Ghana to secure the needed peace and stability despite the prevailing national challenges.

Stating his priority for 2023, the CDS said he would stimulate enhanced cooperation within the three services to effectively deal with the myriads of threats, especially terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and secessionist inclinations.

Naval Commander Benedict Quayson of the Religious Affairs Directorate of the GAF, in an address to the officers and men, after the health walk at the Nicholson Stadium, said the Military High Command, together with his outfit, had commissioned an amusement centre and also held an exhibition programme in the year.

He said the initiative was part of a programme that offered their spouses and dependents a platform to showcase employable skills acquired with support from the Ghana Enterprises Agency.

The end-of-year event was also used to honour some officers and men who had excelled in this year’s CDS Prize Essay Competition.

The first position within the Other Ranks category went to Able Seaman First Class, Emmanuel Baah Junior, who took away a Samsung flat-screen television.

This was followed by Lance Corporal Theresa Dentaa, who won the second position, and Lance Bombadier Divine Gbada, who came third.

For the Officers’ category, Major Ambitious Nazar won the first position in the competition and received a Samsung flat screen TV.

He was followed by Lt. Col. Awintera Abugri and sub–Lt. Judith Dela Abra Gbenah, who came second and third respectively.

The suit filed with two others; Doris Van Donkor and George Ansah is seeking justice over the death of Andrew Donkor.

The suit is for their alleged role in the shooting to death of 35-year-old Donkor, resident of Teleku Bokazo in the Western Region on April 1, 2022.

Mr Donkor was among a number of young men who besieged the Nkroful Magistrate Court after about 40 young men were arrested in a mining pit known to belong to Adamus Mines.

This was at a time some illegal miners who were arrested on their concession made their first court appearance.

According to the MP, the suit is because the police have taken a view that the death of Mr Donkoh must be in vain and so the investigation has simply stalled.

“The police have sadly refused to even arrest the suspected killer with the most annoying excuse that they are yet to identify the soldier who actually shot Andrew Donkoh,” the MP bemoaned in a Facebook post.

The plaintiffs in their suit are among other things demanding GH¢5,000,000.00 as compensation for loss of life, loss of future prospects and support to the family.

They are also asking for psychological and emotional distress, pain and suffering and general loss of opportunity for life as well as legal fees assessed as 10% of the claim.

The deceased was survived by two children; two-year-old Wendy Donkoh and four-year-old Abraham Donkoh.