Change of command at Akoefe Artillery Training School
The Artillery Training School at Akoefe, near Ho in the Volta Region, last Monday witnessed its second change of command ceremony since its establishment a decade ago.
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Atuiri, who served as the Commanding Officer (CO) of the school for almost three years, handed over the Baton-of-Command to the former Deputy CO of the GHANBAT on peace keeping mission in South Sudan, Lt Col. Chris Quaye.
Among those who witnessed the ceremony were chiefs and queens of the Akoefe and Tanyigbe traditional areas, between which the training school is located.
Distinguished leadership
The Commander of the Army Training Command, Brigadier-General Joshua Amanor, who was the guest of honour, paid glowing tribute to Lt Col. Atuiri for his distinguished leadership over the past few years, noting that the wisdom, humility and resilience he demonstrated during his tenure set high standards and projected a bright future for the school.
“Your achievements speak louder than words, and you have demonstrated that leadership is not about occupying a position, but adding value to that position,” he added.
The guest of honour hailed the outgoing commanding officer for the significant infrastructural development undertaken at the school, noting that the Gunners’ Hall Lecture Room, for instance, had become a beacon of academic excellence and an ultramodern space for intellectual exchange, mentorship and professional growth for artillery personnel.
Outgoing CO
In his farewell speech, Lt Col. Atuiri said although the school was growing from strength to strength, its journey was far from over.
He said there was a need to pursue further holistic developmental projects that aligned with the growing stature of the school.
“Such efforts will accelerate the realisation of our vision of becoming a centre of excellence for artillery training,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lt Col. Atuiri said courses such as Forward Observation Skills Training, Land Navigation for selected personnel of the Army Special Operations Brigade, and training for the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron were milestones that went far beyond the tangible infrastructural development at the school.
He expressed gratitude to pubic spirited individuals and friends of the school, Cephas K. Apenuvor, Emmanuel Kpodo, Ernest Agbesi, and the Ghana Artillery Officers Association, for their relentless financial support to infrastructural development projects at the school.
The Commander of the 16 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Selorm Amengor, and President of the Ghana Artillery Association, Brigadier General Nicholas Kporku (retd), were present.
