GAF see off Forces Sergeant Major after 31 years of service
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have held a ceremonial pull-out parade in honour of its outgoing Forces Sergeant Major (FSM), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Daniel Addo, bringing to a close nearly 31 years of distinguished military service.
The pull-out parade, a symbolic military rite reserved for senior officers, marks their final departure from active service.
The event, which took place at Burma Camp in Accra last Monday, was attended by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Oppong; the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, service chiefs, as well as family and friends.
It marked the formal transition of authority to the incoming FSM, Master Warrant Officer Alhassan Zakaria.
CWO Addo symbolically handed over the staff of office to his successor, signalling a smooth transfer of responsibility within the senior non-commissioned ranks of the GAF.
As part of the ceremony, CWO Addo received several gifts in recognition of his service, including a Toyota Hilux vehicle, an 85-inch television set, a refrigerator and other items presented by friends, family and the GAF.
Career, achievements
CWO Addo, a native of Kade in the Eastern Region, was enlisted into the Ghana Army in January 1996 and began his career after completing basic training at the Army Recruit Training School at Shai Hills.
He rose through the ranks, serving in key roles, including Regimental Sergeant Major for Ghana Battalion 12 under the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Command Sergeant Major at the Central Command, and Sergeant Major of the Ghana Army.
He also undertook several professional courses locally and internationally, including training at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in Texas, where he was inducted into the International Students Hall of Fame.
Over the years, he participated in multiple peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Citation
Delivering a citation, the Deputy Director General of Human Resources at the General Headquarters, Colonel John Danso-Ankrah, described the outgoing FSM as a pillar of discipline and professionalism within the military.
“We are gathered here today not merely to mark the end of a career, but to honour the closing chapter of a life lived entirely in service. A life not measured in years, but in standards upheld, soldiers mentored, and the uniform worn with unwavering pride,” he said.
He noted that CWO Addo served as a vital link between officers and enlisted personnel, adding that he had been the voice that corrected without question and the presence that steadied without stifling.
Col Danso-Ankrah urged personnel on parade to emulate the example set by the outgoing FSM.
“What you are witnessing is what a career of total commitment looks like.
This is a standard you must endeavour to reach,” he stated.
Farewell message
In his farewell address, CWO Addo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on his journey in the military.
“After 30 years, eight months and 23 days of military service with an unblemished record, the time has come for me to bow out.
It has been a great privilege to serve the Ghana Army and, by extension, the GAF,” he said.
He praised the discipline within the ranks and called for continued support for his successor.
“I am particularly proud of the current state of discipline and professionalism in the GAF.
The successes are a testament to our collective spirit and teamwork,” he stated.
“To the incoming Forces Sergeant Major, I have no doubt that you will deliver.
I urge all to support him in the same manner or even better,” he added.
He also acknowledged the role of his family, noting their sacrifices throughout his career.
“Behind every soldier stands a family that sacrifices in silence. I thank my wife and children for their support, endurance and patience,” he said.
