Association honours female military officer for achievement

The first female military officer to have been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General by the Ghana Armed Forces has been honoured by the Avatime Women’s Association (AWA) in Accra for her contribution to the development of the Avatime Traditional Area in the Volta Region.

Brigadier-General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu who was enlisted into the Army in 1978 made history and became the first female officer to have risen to the rank of Brigadier General in 2016, having served in various capacities in the Army.

The ceremony also marked the 17th anniversary celebration of the association which was founded in 2000 by Madam Eneda Baku, a native of the traditional area.

The association also honoured veteran actress, Akorfa Ejeani Asiedu, and over 35 other women from the traditional area who have served in the field of academic, business, religion, medicine, agriculture and entrepreneurship among other areas.

At the ceremony, a former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts; Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie, expressed worry that modernity had seen many people throw away the country’s rich heritage, leading to the adoption and acceptance of foreign beliefs.

Social vices

According to Ms Gomashie, whereas the media was supposed to shape society positively, the absence of a broadcasting law to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework on how media contents could shape society, had led to an increase in social vices.

While commending the association for honouring one of their own for attaining one of the highest ranks in the Army, she called on young parents to endeavour to instil a sense of discipline and patriotism and the sense of determination in their children to become leaders that generations would be proud of.

Describing Brigadier-General Edjeani-Afenu as a pillar of the association, she pointed out that her determination to succeed was worth emulating.

Recounting some development activities of the group over the years, Madam Baku said women in the traditional area, through activities of the group, had been empowered economically through the cultivation, marketing and promotion of brown rice.

Brigadier-General Edjeani-Afenu

Brigadier-General Edjeani-Afenu, in her remarks, said when she joined the Army as an 18-year-old girl, the training was not what she saw on the periphery.

“The welcome to the Military Academy was crude, but I prevailed having come to the realisation that I had already made a decision to join the service,” she said.

Determination and perseverance, she said, became her best friends, and it was not surprising that she was rewarded with the most resilient award among the 21 graduating officers.

She encouraged young women to be bold, resilient, disciplined and never give up on their dreams.

Writer’s email: delarussel@gmail.com