A high-powered delegation from the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Kumasi, led by Brigadier General Joseph Adukpo Aphour, paid a day visit to the Western North Region.
The delegation, as part of their itinerary, was to pay a courtesy call on the Western North Regional Minister, Hon. Richard Ebbah Obeng, at his office in Sefwi Wiawso, however, was not available at the time of arrival due to other official duties.
Mr. Ebenezer Amoah, the Western North Regional Coordinating Director (RCD) and the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louis Owusu Agyapong, joined Management members to receive the delegation on behalf of the Regional Minster.
In a short welcome address, he expressed the Regional Minister’s warm felicitation and how he would have wished to be part of this historic visit, but due to an equally important program in Accra, he was unable to be part of the receiving party but assured the delegation that he will communicate every message from them to him when he returns to the office.
He stated that it has been a long-held vision of the Minister to have the presence of the military to help augment the Security system in the region. In view of that, he has collaborated with the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Chief Executive in identifying some locations within the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality suitable for the project.
Brigadier General Joseph Adukpo Aphour, in response, said it has become very necessary since the creation of the region for the High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces to establish a twenty-nine (29) Motorized Mechanized Infantry Battalion in the region, looking at the security threat posed by the neighbouring countries.
He further added that the battalion would be part of the Central Command which he presides over which according to him is made up of six regions. These include; Ashanti Region, Bono Region, Ahafo Region, Oti Region, Bono East Region and Western North Region.
According to him, the battalion when constructed will be a whole community that will have a School, Market, Sports complex, Church, Mosque and many other social amenities befitting its status.
He further stated that by the end of the year, the Military High Command will appoint a Battalion head and hope that close to one hundred and fifty (150) personnel of the battalion will be deployed initially and more will be added as time goes on.
However, Mr. Edmund King Gyamfi, the Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, led the team to the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Katakyie Kwasi Bumagamah II, to officially inform him about the intended project.
Katakyie warmly received the delegation and pledged his full support for the establishment of the battalion which according to him, will go a long way to help enhance the peace, stability and security of the people in the Region.
Brigadier General J. Adukpo Aphour, the leader of the team expressed his gratitude to the Traditional Authorities for the warm reception accorded his delegation and assured the gathering that the collaboration with all stakeholders will continue throughout the entire process to the construction of the battalion and beyond.
Credit: Robert Attoh (WNRCC- PRO)
