12 Air Force pilots honoured with wings, President Akufo-Addo urges selfless devotion to duty

Twelve newly trained pilots from the Ghana Air Force have been decorated with the Air Force Wings at a Wings Parade ceremony yesterday, marking their official transition into operational service.

The newly winged pilots, made up of six Rotary Wing Pilots and six Fixed Wing Pilots, completed their ab-initio flying training at leading aviation institutions in the United States.

Rotary Wing pilots, also known as rotary wing aviators, operate and command aircraft with rotating wings, such as helicopters.

Fixed Wing Pilots essentially operate high speed airplanes that can taxi and take off, such as fighter jets and jet aircraft.

The Wings Parade ceremony, which was held at the Air Force Base at the Burma Camp in Accra, symbolised the pilots’ readiness to defend the country’s airspace.

The Air Force Wings, worn on the left breast above all medal ribbons, is a symbol of achievement and honour for aircrew. 
The tradition, introduced during the pre-independence era by the Royal Air Force, was last celebrated in 2001 at the Air Force Base in Takoradi.

Awards

During yesterday’s ceremony, Flight Lieutenant Christopher Yaw Asuka was honoured with both the Speed Birth Trophy and the J.E. Odaate Barnor Award for achieving the highest standards in flying and airmanship as well as demonstrating exceptional flying skills on rotary wing aircraft. 

Flt Lt Abdul-Baasit Salifu was also recognised with the J.A. Bruce Award for exhibiting outstanding flying skills on fixed wing aircraft.

Commendation 

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who served as the reviewing officer at the parade, commended the new aviators for upholding the highest traditions of service and discipline.

He added that their achievement reflected not only their technical and professional prowess but also their perseverance, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities and responsibilities. You are now entrusted with the noble duty of defending Ghana’s skies and contributing to her progress. As you embark on this journey, I urge you to remain steadfast in your loyalty to the state, unyielding in your discipline and resolute in your pursuit of excellence,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

He said their training, both at home and abroad, had prepared them to confront the challenges ahead.

The President, therefore, urged them to let selfless service and an unwavering devotion to duty define their careers.

Modernisation of GAF

President Akufo-Addo said the government remained steadfast in its commitment to the retooling and modernisation of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), ensuring that it was equipped to execute its mandate with precision and efficiency. 

In recent years, he added, his government had prioritised investments in GAF, with specific attention to enhancing the operational capacity of the Ghana Air Force.

He mentioned the refurbishment of its fleet and the planned procurement of advanced fighter aircraft as significant strides toward realising the vision of a modern and smart Air Force. 

President Akufo-Addo also stated that the role of the Air Force extended far beyond its military mandate, saying its contributions to disaster relief, search-and-rescue operations and the protection of critical national infrastructure underscored its versatility and value to the nation. 

“These endeavours reflected not only operational excellence but also the vital relationship between the Armed Forces and the civilian population, a relationship we must nurture and sustain,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

Colour

The ceremony was attended by many distinguished officials, including the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah.

Also present were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu.

The event was marked by a display of military precision and aerial excellence, beginning with an impressive march by the Ghana Air Force personnel. 

The highlight of the ceremony was a spectacular fly past display.