The Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Ambassador Edward Boateng joined the 5 Infantry Battalion (5BN) as Special Guest to celebrate their 2022 end-of-year West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA) and the commissioning of a young soldiers’ dormitory.
The ceremony was held on Friday January 13 2023, at the Forecourt of the 5 Infantry Battalion Headquarters at the Arakan Barracks in Burma Camp Accra.
Commenting on the event, Ambassador Edward Boateng commended 5BN for their significant contribution to national stability. He acknowledged their constant assistance to security agencies, particularly the Police, in maintaining law and order in the Greater Accra and Central Regions. He further commended them for supporting Specified Entities’ making reference to the provision of security at the Bank of Ghana and their assistance to the Forestry Commission in combating illegal logging and mining. This he stated enables the Specified Entities to operate efficiently and profitably.
To strengthen military-civilian partnerships, SIGA is poised to engage 5 Infantry Battalion for mutually beneficially programs this year. A military training for SIGA staff is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. In addition, Ambassador Boateng expressed SIGA’s readiness to host personnel of 5BN on study visits to share knowledge and ideas.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the longest-serving Commanding Officer (CO) of 5BN Colonel (Col) John Armah Okai (Rtd) as Guest-of-Honour, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General (Maj Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah, the GAF’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics – Maj Gen Prince Osei-Owusu, General Officer Commanding, Southern Command – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Michael Ayisi Amoah, Commander and Army Special Operations Brigade – Brig Gen Barima Brako Owusu.
WASSA is a ceremony held by all units of the Ghana Armed Forces to bring soldiers and their families together to feast, celebrate, and reflect on the previous year’s achievements.
Source: SIGA PR Dpt
