Exercise Tigers’ Path revived: Troops storm Achiase
Exercise Tigers’ Path, the Ghana Armed Forces’ flagship jungle warfare drill, has been revived after a six-year break, with hundreds of troops converging on the Achiase Jungle Warfare School in the Eastern Region for a four-day intensive training programme.
This year’s edition brings together six major formations of the GAF, comprising the Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force, Southern Command, Northern Command, Central Command and Support Services Command, making it one of the most comprehensive inter-service training events in recent years.
Exercise Tigers’ Path
First introduced in 1991, Exercise Tigers’ Path was created as a biennial competition to build resilience, sharpen battlefield instincts and prepare troops for sustained operations in difficult terrain.
Early editions focused heavily on long-range jungle navigation and search-and-rescue missions, where participants were tasked to locate and evacuate downed helicopter patrol teams deep within the forest.
Throughout the four-day exercise, participating troops will undergo a series of rigorous drills, including battle procedures, first aid and tactical casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), improvised river crossing, navigation, helicopter marshalling, marksmanship, endurance tasks and confidence-building exercises.
They will also undertake platoon administration in jungle conditions, offensive operations in dense terrain and long-range patrol techniques designed to simulate real-world operational environments.
Reinforcing military professionalism
Addressing the opening ceremony at Akyem Abenase, the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, described the revival of the exercise as a crucial step in reinforcing the foundations of military professionalism.
He said Tigers’ Path had, for decades, been central to the GAF’s training philosophy, offering a platform to test physical endurance, teamwork, leadership, mental agility and joint operations.
“The jungle remains neutral but unforgiving. It mirrors the evolving dynamics of today’s security threats, complex, unpredictable and demanding superior skills and preparedness,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Gbetanu explained that the current security environment required forces capable of adapting to unconventional battlefields and integrating capabilities from the Navy, Army and Air Force.
“Our strength as an Armed Forces lies in our ability to operate as a unified and coordinated team. This exercise reinforces the spirit of unity, cooperation and inter-service coordination,” he added.
Acknowledgement
The Army Chief urged participants to approach the drills with seriousness and discipline, emphasising adherence to safety protocols to prevent avoidable incidents during high-risk tasks.
He praised the exercise planners, evaluators and instructors for their meticulous work in restoring a major training event that had been missing from the GAF calendar for years.
He also acknowledged the chiefs and residents of Akyem Achiase for their cooperation, support and long-standing partnership with the Jungle Warfare School.
Maj. Gen. Gbetanu said the reintroduction of Tigers’ Path was part of a broader agenda by the Military High Command to restore key traditional training exercises and deepen troop preparedness for the challenges ahead.
“This competition is a demonstration of our commitment to readiness. Through consistent training and investment, we will continue to build a force that is capable, professional and respected,” he said.
