Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude!
The weekend of Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, 2025, was a busy one for me. On Saturday, I was the Guest Speaker at the Immanuel Methodist Church, East Airport, where the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowships of the Methodist Church of Ghana held their “7th Koomson-Ackah-Enchia Memorial Lectures.”
It was to celebrate two personalities, Maj. Daniel Sowa Ablorh-Quarcoo (Rtd) and Mr Emmanuel Botchwey of Regimanuel Real Estate fame, for their immense contributions to the Men’s Fellowship.
The Chairman was Rt. Rev. Andrew Mbeah-Baiden, Bishop of the Northern Accra Diocese. I spoke on the topic: “Our Culture and Leadership.”
On Sunday, May 11, 2025, there was a huge traffic jam at Burma Camp, as all roads led to the Garrison Church of Pentecost. There, the Induction Church Parade/Service of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Service Chiefs (Commanders) of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Chief-of-Staff, General Headquarters, took place.
The sermon, “You are a chosen Vessel of God”, was preached by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Head of the Church of Pentecost, Ghana.
Talking about Leadership, the Apostle stated that good leadership identifies value in subordinates and opens doors for such talents for society’s advancement/development.
Inductees
The five Generals/Admirals/Marshals inducted were the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen. William Agyapong; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu; the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing; the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong, and the Chief of Staff (COS), General Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Joshua Mensah-Larkai.
In their “acceptance speeches”, all five thanked God for their elevation and pledged their determination to serve Ghana to the best of their abilities.
They thanked the President for reposing such trust and confidence in them. Perhaps, the highlight of the ceremony was the speech by the CDS, which he titled “Gratitude.”
‘Gratitude’
Lt Gen. Agyapong started by saying that his speech was a simple message of Gratitude. “It has been a long journey, and I am grateful to God,” he said.
Then came an impressive list of officers' names who have helped shape his career since he joined the GAF as an officer cadet of Regular Career Course Intake 30 in 1988.
Commissioned as an Infantry officer in 1990, he was posted to the 1st Battalion of Infantry, Michel Camp, Tema.
While thanking everyone who has contributed to his growth and development to the three-star General he is today, he also reminded those after him and his team of the reward of hard work by quoting Henry Longfellow’s popular dictum: “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling into the night.”
Discussion
In my article in September 2022 titled “The Military Honour Code,” I stated as follows:
All over the world, the military is one of the most respected state institutions. Indeed, at many airports…, military personnel are given the priority of boarding and enter commercial aircraft with passengers flying first class.
This is in recognition of their unique service to the nation by air, land or sea, even at the cost of their lives and that of others.
As a former Commanding Officer of mine put it, it is the only institution where one swears an oath “to leave home vertically (alive) in the morning and return horizontally (dead) in the evening!”
In Ghana, notwithstanding our chequered history, the military is still a respected institution. Indeed, it is opined that if the military is left to self-regulate, without any political interference, it would be a better institution.
It is against this backdrop that the last British CDS of the GAF, Maj. Gen. HT Alexander said in his 1961 book, “The African Tightrope”, that “Ghana will regret the day the army enters politics, or politics enter the army!”
Summary
Interestingly, many Ghanaians believe in the culture of discipline in the military and opine that if all members of parliament/district chief executives (MPs/DCEs) did a three-month military training before starting their parliamentary/district duties, discipline would be instilled in them.
This, hopefully, will have a trickle-down effect on Ghanaians. Proponents cite, as an example, the Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden, where military service is compulsory as National Service.
To the politicians, the newly inducted generals are not only fine professionals; they are also intellectual soldiers. Please do not interfere with their work, and allow them to run the GAF as the capable professionals they are. If there is any sincerity about ending galamsey, give the military a free hand to operate.
Finally, in our world of ingratitude exemplified by Jesus’ question to the Samaritan leper in Luke 17:11-17, “Were not ten cleansed?
Where are the other nine?” I found the CDS’s gratitude in listing a whole gamut of officers/men whose inputs have helped shape his life extraordinary and a worthwhile lesson for emulation. I wish the CDS and his Service Chiefs God’s direction and blessings.
Long live the Ghana Armed Forces! Long live Ghana!
Leadership, lead by example! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up!
The writer is the Former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association.
Nairobi, Kenya/Council Chairman, Family Health University,
Accra.
E-mail: dkfrimpong@yahoo.com
