SOLDIERS TOLD TO IMPROVE SKILLS IN WEAPON HANDLING (SEPT 28, PAGE 14)

THE Chief of the Army Staff, Major Gen. Joseph Narh Adinkrah, has called on personnel of the Ghana Army to improve their skills in weapon handling to be able to deal effectively with the increasing threats of communal violence and armed robberies, which are becoming brazen.
According to him, good weapon handling would also reduce collateral damage (casualties) recorded in times of war and other violent crimes, which is becoming an issue of international concern.
Major Gen Adinkrah made the call at the closing ceremony of this year’s Army Inter-Command/Formation Shooting Competition dubbed; “Ex Thunderbolt”, held at the Yawhima Military Shooting Range in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo regional capital, at the weekend.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Brigadier Gen. Chris K. Ocran and Brigadier Gen. Martin Ahiaglo, General Officers Commanding (GOCs) the Northern and Southern Commands respectively; Brigadier Gen. Ishmael B. Quartey, Commander of the Support Service Brigade Group, Lt. Col. Amoah Ayisi, Commanding Officer of the 3 Garrison in Sunyani and regional commanders of the other security agencies.
The three-day shooting competition was to train and assess the competence of officers and men in the professional handling of weapons and sharp shooting, raise a formidable team for the army in this year’s inter-services shooting competition dubbed, “Ex Fireblast”, scheduled for November and to create a forum for building esprit de corps and healthy interaction among troops of the army.
The Northern Command team was adjudged the overall best team in the competition, followed by the Southern Command and the Support Service Brigade, while Lance Corporals Koli and Sarah Darkwah were adjudged the overall best individual male and female shooters of the competition respectively.
Major Gen. Adinkrah stated further that weapon handling was the fulcrum on which an army hinged, and that no army could win any war or achieve objectives that called for the use of arms, if the troops were not masters of the tools.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the competition had tested their skills and stretched their limits to prove their competencies.
The Chief of the Army Staff congratulated the individuals who won prizes on their achievements, which, he said, would not only enhance their personal capabilities, but also those of their units and the Ghana Army as the best among equals.
He also commended all who participated in the competition for the display of sportsmanship.
Major Gen Adinkrah also praised all the females who participated in the competition, saying it had become an internationally recognised fact that women in all endeavours of life, including the Ghana Armed Forces, created synergy for national development.