The Ghana military has reaffirmed their readiness to fight against any external aggression in the country with the launch of ‘Operation Cat Chase’ at the Bundase Training Academy.
The stimulation exercise nicknamed ‘Exercise Starlight Stretch’ is being held under the auspices of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces and was held to protect Ghana’s territorial boundaries along the coast.
Addressing the media, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command, Brig. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah explained that the exercise would be held for three infantry units of the Command.
He said the One Infantry Battalion from Michel Camp would be the first followed by the 2nd Infantry Battalion from Tarkoradi then the 5th Infantry Battalion from Burma Camp.
He added that each group would have two weeks in-house training and a week’s field training exercise.
Brig. Gen. Oppong-Peprah again mentioned that after the various battalions have taken their turn the GOC would name the best performing infantry.
The Commanding Operations Officer (COO) of the Southern Command, Lt. Col. Isaac Amponsah explained that the One Infantry Battalion comprises of about 221 troops including 19 senior officers.
He said the Ghana Armed Forces is using the exercise to create cohesion between the young and old officers and also reorient the troops on the military tactics.
He said the army would have the exercise around Prampram and its environs as well as the Tema Harbour.
He mentioned that the scenario for ‘Exercise Starlight Stretch’ was the ‘fight’ between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire for the ownership of the oil discovered at Cape 3 Points in the Western Region.