66 Artillery Regiment launches 50th anniversary
A former General of the Ghana Army has launched the 50th anniversary celebration for the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho, with a call for a cogent national security policy and strategy to stand the test of time in the light of recent terrorist threats in the sub-region.
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Major General Carl Coleman, who is also the Chairman of the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), said citizens, should be made to understand the nitty-gritty of issues at stake and not just a mere call for vigilance.
Anniversary
On the theme: “Celebrating 50 years of professionalism and dedicated service to the Ghana Armed Forces and Motherland,” the anniversary is slated for April 16, the date on which the regiment was created.
The unit was first established as the Mortar Regiment, but was later transformed into an artillery regiment.
Security
Major General Coleman said the concept of human security, although contested in certain circles, definitely underlined the fact that security started with the individual.
He, therefore, called for a multi-sectoral brainstorming to address challenges of safety facing the nation and added that the regiment should be able to come to terms with the challenges facing it.
Minister
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, commended the regiment for the professionalism and dedication exhibited over the years.
She decried the high rate of indiscipline in respect of acquisition of land for estate development, adding that it had been the main cause of disasters.
New strategy needed
Ms Ntoso said attaining 50 years should be a hallmark for a new lease to strategise to cope with all threats and urged the regiment to be alert to thwart any violence that might erupt in the region during the November elections.
The Officer Commanding of the regiment, Colonel Ekow Jones, said his outfit was well equipped to handle all challenging situations.
In his address, the Commanding Officer of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Selorm Amengor, said he was excited to have been a commanding officer at the time the regiment had attained an enviable status of excellence.
He disclosed that activities lined up for the celebration included blood donations, donations to prisons and orphanages, medical outreach, fun-fair, a grand durbar, a dinner and thanksgiving service.