Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Minister for Defence, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and improving troop welfare after witnessing the 2025 Land Combat Power Demonstration Exercise at the Bundase Training Camp.
Speaking at the annual GAF demonstration on Friday, Mr. Genfi commended service personnel for their “professionalism and operational readiness,” describing the exercise as “a vivid expression of discipline, strategy and coordination, the very markers of military excellence.”
The event, organised by the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), showcases joint operational capabilities across the Army, Navy and Air Force and forms the practical component of the Senior Staff Course.
Mr. Genfi said the demonstration underlined the importance of integrated action across all arms of the services.
“Today’s demonstration underscores that the defence of our nation rests not only on individual skill, but on the seamless synergy of all arms working together,” he said.
He added that the Mahama administration’s retooling and modernisation programme,as part of the broader “Resetting Ghana Agenda” will deliver new equipment, including armoured vehicles, drones and modern communications systems beginning next year. Troop welfare, the Deputy Minister stressed, remains central to government policy.
He said efforts are under way to enhance conditions of service, expand accommodation, and improve access to healthcare and family support systems, noting “The strength of our military lies not only in its arsenal, but in the well-being of those who serve.”
Mr.Genfi praised the GAF for its contributions to peacekeeping and regional security and urged personnel to uphold the highest standards of conduct.
He warned that “any actions that bring the image of the Armed Forces into disrepute will be dealt with decisively.”
He also commended the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Military High Command and the exercise planners, singling out the 1st Infantry Battalion for its lead role.
Lieutenant Colonel Frank Adams
111 Battalion Group Commander, briefed invited guests on the sequence of events, walking through phases from reconnaissance and fires to manoeuvre and confrontation; organisers noted measures were taken to limit air-to-ground fires and to moderate the tempo of the demonstration to avoid damage to nearby civilian settlements.
Against a backdrop of growing instability in parts of West Africa, Mr.Genfi said the exercise was “a deliberate validation of our combat readiness, interoperability, situational awareness and command and control systems,” and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to peace and security in the sub-region, including continued cooperation with international partners to combat terrorism and transnational crime.
On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Deputy Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi officially declared the 2025 Land Combat Power Demonstration Exercise closed.
The event was attended by senior military leadership including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, Brigadier-General Isaac Nicholas Paintsil, and other invited dignitaries.
General Officer Commanding of Southern Command, Nicholas Isaac Paintsil added that the demonstration — described by organisers as the second volume of a cross-learning professional capability series — aimed to validate the integration and employment of fire-support assets by a battery group operating within a joint task force across deep, close and rear operations.
It exposed students to the realities of the land battlespace, familiarised participants with major platforms and weapons, and reinforced interoperability and mission-command principles under realistic conditions.
He said this year’s exercise was led by one infantry battalion and reinforced by elements from the 2nd and 5th Infantry Battalions, the 66th Artillery Regiment, the 153rd Armoured Regiment, the 48th Engineer Regiment, the 81st Signal Regiment and the Ghana Army Special Operations Brigade.
The demonstration also integrated support from the Ghana Navy and Ghana Air Force, underscoring the Armed Forces’ capacity to synchronise operations across land, sea and air.
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