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Military


Southern Command

Current Units under command [as of 2016 ] are 1 Inf BN, Michel Camp, Tema; 2 Inf BN, Myohaung Barracks, Takoradi; 5 Inf BN, Arakan Barracks, Burma Camp; 64 Infantry Regt- Gondar Barracks, 66 Arty Regt- Volta Barracks Ho, Armd Recce Regt, Gondar Barracks, Burma Camp; 48 Engr Regt, Wajir Barracks, Teshie and I field Workshop- Medo lines. It is pertinent to note that the Command has only administrative control of Armd Recce Regt, 66 Arty Regt and 48 Engr Regt. Operationally, these support arms regiments come under the direct control of Army HQ.

The origins of HQ 1 Inf Bde Gp started in the Congo in June 1961 when HQ 2 Ghana Inf Bde Gp, Luluabourg was designated HQ 1 Inf Bde Gp till August 1961 under the command of Col JA Ankrah. On repatriation from the Congo in early August 1961, the HQ was temporarily located at Rangoon Camp until 6 August when it moved to Kumasi. It was partially under-implemented at about this time when personnel from the HQ were posted to Army HQ.

The Bde HQ was provisionally re-formed at Burma Camp on 23 September 1961 under Brig JA Ankrah (23 September 1961 - 1 October 1962) even though others hold the view that its Commander was Brig CM Barwah. In reality, it was annexed to Army HQ in January 1962 for lack of staff and was only re-formed 01 October 1962 under Brig CM Barwah (1 October 1962 - 9 August 1965).

The initial Units were 1 Inf BN, Ranchi Barracks Takoradi (but later moved to Myohaung Barracks in 1963) 2 Inf BN, Arakan Barracks, Accra; and 6 Inf BN, Ranchi Barracks, Takoradi on formation in 1966; Armed Recce Regt Gondar Barracks, Burma Camp Accra and Field Engr Regt, Wajir Barracks, Teshie.

The Bde HQ was first located in Married Quarters- G16 in Burma Camp which it shared with the office of GSOII Intelligence at the present location of Army HQ. It moved from Burma Camp first to the Flag Staff house Annex, near the Accra Zoo and finally to its present location at the Kpeshie Ridge in 1968. The Kpeshie Ridge comples was originally projected for occupation by the Women's Auxiliary Corps (WAC) HQ.

As part of modernization and an increase in the capacity and responsibilities of the Armed Forces as a whole, the brigade was given a Divisional status on 29 March 2000. The structures however largely remained the same except that the designation of the commander changed to General Officer Commanding (GOC). The command has the responsibility of ensuring the security of Southern Ghana stretching northwards from the Atlantic coastline and covering five out of the ten administrative regions of Ghana. These are Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions.

The emblem is a Black Spider (head down) against a yellow background. This was adopted from the emblem of the 81 (WA) Div. "Ananse" (Gizzo) is the traditional Spider Hero of gold Coast folklore, its outstanding quality being its subtlety and agility of mind. By using its wits, it always out-manoeuvres its enemies and achieves many". Impossible feats such as capturing a live bee hive, a leopard and a python. A second versions has it that during the second World War the tarantula was one of the commonest insects in the jungle in which troops of the 81 WA division operated. Its poisonous bites helped them overcome the Japanese who could not stand the bites. The flag of the Command has RED, PINK and GREEN rectangular stripes with the traditional spider on a yellow background in the middle.

Having been formed in an operational theatre - OP FULL COCK - in the Democratic Republic of Congo in July 1960, the units of the command have distinguished themselves in both External and Internal Peacekeeping operations the world over under the banner of Ghana Army. Internally, the Command has variously provided units to provide relief to several communities during periods of flood and other emergency situations. Others units within the Command have also been participating in national development programmes such as road and bridge construction, anti cocoa and petrol smuggling along the nations's borders, re-afforestation and other environmental improvement programmes.

The vision of the GOC for the entire command is as follows: "To maintain a highly motivated and positively responsive force, well disciplined and trained, able and willing to project a credible deterrent posture; a force jointly or singly committed to the defence of the constitution of Ghana, ever prepared to participate in national development and emergency programmes within the domestic environment and a force which remains a dependable part of the Army combat machine, well poised for distinguished service anytime anywhere."

The unit has participated significantly in operations both within the country and abroad. The unit has only contributed troops for internal operations, but has not formed the nucleus or headquarters of a Task Force for any internal operations. Some these operations include, Ops HALT, GONGONG, MERCURY, CITADEL COW LEG and CALM LIFE. The unit has however served severally as the main component or headquarters for numerous external operations. Some of these operations include:

  • ONUC (Congo - July - October 1960). HQ at Lac Mukambu with Lt Col JA Ankrah as a Commanding Officer (CO).
  • UNEF Ghanbatt 2 (Sinai-Egypt). From August 1974 - April 1975. HQ at El-Fanara with Lt Col KK Nyame and Lt Col DA Afari as COs.
  • UNEF Ghanbatt 9. From March - October 1978 with Lt Col MM Achel as CO.
  • UNIFIL Ghanbatt 30 (Lebanon). From June- December 1988 with Lt Col DK Tettey as CO.
  • ECOMOG Ghanbatt 3 (Liberia). From January - August 1991 HQ at Baptist Seminary with Lt Col FK Mensah.
  • UNIFIL Ghanbatt 37 (Lebanon). From March- September 1992. HQ at Marakeh with Lt Col JK Attipoe as CO.
  • ECOMOG Ghanbatt 8 (Liberia). From September 1992-June 1994. HQ at Lower Buchannan with Lt Col JK Attipoe as CO.
  • UNAMIR Ghanbatt 2 (Rwanda) From November 1994 - May 1995 HQ at Kibungo with Lt Col JK Attipoe as CO.
  • UNIFIL Ghanbatt 43 (Lebanon) From September 1995 - March 1996 HQ at Al Quaranis with Lt Col PBK Agudogo as CO.
  • UNIFIL Ghanbatt 52 (Lebanon) From April - October 2000 HQ at Al Quaranis with Lt Col TH Tawiah as CO.

1Bn of Infantry in Michael Camp is located 3km NW of Ashiaman, long the Tema-Akosombo Highway. It is located 500 meters away from the Base Ammunition Depot of the Armed Forces. The barracks is well structured and sectorised for ease of management and administration. The main components of Michel Camp are: The Administration area, the Officers accommodation area, the Other Ranks (OR) accommodation area, the BAD LINES, the Market area and the Sports and games fields. In Other Ranks accommodation areas, the blocks are further divided into sub-areas namely: Company sectors for Junior Non-commission Officers (ie Corporals and below) and the Senor Non-commission Officer (ie Sergeants and Warrant Officers) quarters. Within the barracks, there are three Messes, one each for the Officers, SNCOs and JNCOs. These messes serve as the social amenity centers for the various groups for entertainment purposes.

Major sources of entertainment in the unit are centered on games, dances and film/video shows. The unit normally draws a program for the year to include inter company competitive sports/games which is a source of entertainment as well as training for the personnel. Periodically, and during special occasions (Christmas and Easter), all ranks and family dances are organized at the Junior Ranks Mess, because that is the largest mess. At the end of the year, the unit organize a WASSA (West African Soldiers Social Activities). WASSA involves all officers and soldiers and their families. A day/date is selected and all meet at a specified location in the unit to drink, eat and play fun games. This day is normally crowned with an all ranks dance. Important personalities and other friends to the unit are usually invited.

Aside these forms of entertainment, each mess is allowed to organize its own form of entertainment to include dances, film/video shows and fun games. It is the importance that the unit attaches to the entertainment of troops that it has a musical dance band called the HOT BARRELS BAND.

The Unit Logo and Mascot is a dragon. This emblem was adopted during the colonial days and wars as it was believed to be capable of expelling evil spirits and carries good luck. The grib on the dragon by a soldier on the unit batch indicates the strength of the Unit and its capability to destroy any enemy.

5th Infantry Battalion

The 5th Infantry Battalion has its origin from 5 West African Bde grouping (5 Gold Coast Regiment, 7 Gold Coast Regiment and 8 Gold Coast Regiment) during the Burma Campaign in 1941. In Nov 1942 it came under 81 West African Div. The Unit just before the Burma Campaign concentrated in Nigeria in April 1943 and moved to Burma where it fought in the campaign from July 1943 till February 1944. It returned to the Gold Coast in September - October 1945, and was disband in July 1946, alongside the other Battalions after the 2nd world war. The Unit was re-formed after Independence at Tamale in Kamina Barracks on 30th January 1961 under a British Commanding Officer, Lt Col DJ Cairns who commanded the Unit from January - July 1061. The Unit which comprised of elements a 3 Bn Coy that had refrained from taking part in the Congo mutiny and another Coy from 4 Bn.

The Unit initially consisted of a Bn HQ, Four Rifle Coys and a support Coy. The established strengths of personnel and equipment could not be attained until 1964. In 1963, the Unit moved from Kamina Barracks and then to Accra (Arakan) in 1968, under the Command of Maj LK Kwaku. The four-rifted Coys organization was maintained during the NRC/SMC regimes (Jan 1972 - 1979) until the latter part of 1980 when it reverted to the status of a three-rifled company Battalion, to conform with the other Battalions whose extra coys were dissolved in December 1970.

The Unit contributed troops for a number of International Peace-Keeping Operations which included the following:

  1. ONUC (Congo 1960-64) the Unit relieved 3Bn from January - August 1962.
  2. UNEF (Sinai, Egypt 1973 - 79). The Unit had its turn as Ghanbatt 6 under the Command of Lt Col MA Abana from October - December 1976 and continued under the Command of Lt Col F Oteng from December 1976 - April 1977.
  3. UNIFIL (Southern Lebanon) tours are as fols:
    • Ghanbatt 13 under the Command of Lt Col Asare-Djan (April - November 1980).
    • Ghanbatt 32 under the Command of Lt Col FY Mahama from June 1989 - February 1990.
    • Ghanbatt 38 under the Command of Lt Col SA Odotei from September 1992 - May 1993.
    • Ghanbatt 42 under the Command of Lt Col SA Odotei (March - September 1995.
    • Ghanbatt 50 (Golden Ghanbatt) was under the Command of Lt Col JA Okai. March - September 1999.
  4. ECOMOG - Liberia. The Unit had its share in the Operations as fols:
    • Ghanbatt 5 under the Command of Lt Col DCK Kattah from Feb - Aug 82 and
    • Ghanbatt 9 was under the Command of Lt Col SA Odotei from March 1994 - 1995.
  5. The 5th Infantry Battalion also contributed troops towards Peace Keeping duties in UNAMIR - Rwanda, UNTAC - Cambodia and UNAMSIL - Seirra Leone.
  6. Operation Gongong, an Internal Peace Enforcement initiatve which was initiated in 1993 to clamp down on tribal conflicts in the Northern Region found troops from 5 Bn in action. 2/Lt Agbanyo who was barely six months in the service after commission as well as Cpl Felix Anis lost their lives, were the notable casualties suffered by the unit in the operation.
  7. The Unit participated in all Field Exercises conducted in the Army over the period and performed quite creditably. These included Exercises HOT FOOT, TIGER'S PARTH, FIRE BLAST, TEAMWORK, WAR LORD, STAR LIGHT STRETCH, WOUNDED LEOPARD, AS YOU ARE, BOLD KING AND PINK HEAD.
  8. EX PINK HEAD is a traditional demonstration exercise conducted twice in each year to depict the exact layout of a Bn HQ in the field for students of GAFCSC Jnr Div and ACTS (Combat Team Commanders Courses).

Fifth Battalion of Infantry as part of the Ghana Armed Forces has been responsible for ensuring absolute protection of Ghana's territorial integrity. The Unit has the specific responsibility of ensuring the internal security of the Greater Accra Region, with the capital city Accra inclusive, by assisting the civil authorities to maintain law and order. The Unit also provides assistance during periods of natural disaster in the Region. Instances of Unit involvement in maintaining security in the region include:

  1. Protection and defence of vital government installation during the 1995 Kume-Preko riots.
  2. In 1995 5Bn in conjunction with other Units in Accra assisted to evacuate flood victims from certain residential areas affected by floods.
  3. In 1997, 5Bn conducted joint patrols with the Police to rid Accra of criminals in an operation codenamed CALM LIFE. Similar operations were conducted in the 1980s and still in force currently.
  4. In 1998 5Bn conducted patrols to rid the Region of Chain Sawn Lumber, as prescribed by the laws of the land in an operation codenamed HALT.
  5. The Unit continues to ensure security of certain installations in Accra. These are Operation Citadel (Castle Guard) Operation Mercury (Broadcasting House Guard) which is no longer operational and Operation response (Defence of the Eastern Borders of Ghana).

The Unit has established a trial of customs and traditions over the years which are still adhered to. The Magajia is the leading figure of the soldiers' wives. She is responsible for organizing, controlling and ensuring passage and enforcement of unit directives among the women. The Battalion Magajia is assisted by company Magajias. The magajia is the disciplined wife of a disciplined, loyal, hardworking and industrious Corporal.

The unit still maintains the bugle calls as of old. Prominent amongst them are the Reveille, Last Post, General Call, RSM Call etc. The 5Bn of Infantry has cherished and maintained military traditions to include the under listed among many others.

1st Infantry Battalion

The 1st Battalion of Infantry was the first battalion to be established in the history of Ghana Armed Forces. This history however dates back to the colonial period. By 1900, military units were raised in the British West Africa colonies for the West African Frontier force (WAFF). The 1st Battalion gold Coast Regime (GCR) which takes its roots from the Gold Coast Constabulary (GCC) was established on 1 Jan 1901 and was part of WAFF. The 1st Battalion (GCR) was then headquartered in Kumasi with detachments scattered in the southern part of the then Gold Coast. By 1907, 1st Battalion GCR was organized into eight companies with a battery of light guns.

The First Battalion (GCR) as the main component of the force saw action during the first world was in the Cameroons and in the East African campaigns. It is on record that the Gold Coast Regiment had the distinction of being the first allied unit to capture the German territory of the Togoland. On the outbreak of the 2nd world war, the 2nd and 3rd battalions were formed and added to the 1st battalion to form the 2nd West Africa Brigade of the 82 West African Division. On return from Burma in 1946, the 2nd West African Brigade was disbanded and 1st Battalion which was then reconstituted, moved to Tamale. In March 1057, the 1st Battalion GCR was re-designated 1st Battalion Ghana Regiment.

In March 1958, 1 battalion was again moved from Tamale to Kumasi, and the following year 1959, the unit once again moved to Takoradi (Ranchi Barracks). Even in Takoradi, the unit moved from Ranchi Barracks to Myohaung Barracks in 1963. The final move of the unit up till this date was the move from Myohaung Barracks to the unit present location in Michel Camp. This was in 1968. The 1st Battalion participated in the first and second world wars, and distinguished itself.

The unit from its inception had gone through series of organization and re-organisations. However, the basic structure has always been maintained. There were times the number of companies in the unit was up to eight. Currently, the basic structure of a Battalion Headquarters, and companies is still maintained. Presently, the unit has five companies (namely Alpha, Bravo, Support and Headquarters) under the Battalion Headquarters. The Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies are the manoeuvre companies (ie the frontline troops), with the support company providing support through the Mortar |Platoon, Machine Gun Platoon and the Assault Pioneer Platoon. The Headquarters company is the logistic provider to the rest of the companies and controls the Transport, Communication, Quartermaster Platoons. The Medical platoon is under the Battalion headquarters.

The role of the unit in the past and now continue to be same. Traditionally, the role of the unit is: To train to fight and win wars/battles independently or as part of the Ghana Armed Forces anytime, anywhere as directed by the government. Additionally, the unit in peacetime is to assist the civil authority in the restoration/maintenance of law and order in situations of civil disturbance and natural disasters.

Every unit is the Ghana Armed Forces has its own Area of Responsibility (AOR). Currently 1st Battalion area is the Eastern Region. The unit duties include:

  1. Assisting the Civil Authority to restore and maintain law and order.
  2. Humanitarian assistance during disasters.
  3. Security for the Armed Forces Base Ammunition Depot (BAD)
  4. Provide security for vital installations within its AOR.
  5. Participation in Peacekeeping/Peace enforcement duties both internal and external.





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