Vice Admiral Quashie pulled out of Burma Camp
Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie, the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was yesterday officially ‘pulled out’ of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a ceremony to mark his retirement.
While he stood in an open armoured vehicle, some senior officers pulled the vehicle by ropes tied to the vehicle while officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces and invited guests lined the streets of Burma Camp, cheering the retired CDS.
Prior to this and in line with military tradition, troops marched to the forecourt of Burma Hall after which the heads of the various forces took the general salute, followed by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr John Kudalor, and the incoming CDS, Air Marshal Sampson Oje.
After three happy cheers had been said for the retired CDS, the men and officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, and guests at the ceremony lined up the street to watch Vice Admiral Quarshie being pulled out.
The pulling-out ceremony is performed to mark the retirement of an officer from office.
Profile
Vice Admiral Quashie, who had served for five years as the Chief of Defence Staff, was until his retirement the longest serving officer of the Ghana Armed Forces with more than 45 years working experience and the first naval officer to be appointed Chief of Defence Staff.
An extract of his profile read at the ceremony said Vice Admiral Quashie who joined the Ghana Armed forces in October 1970, held many high positions including the flag officer commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Tema; Director of Resettlement of GAF and participated in a number of international peace-keeping duties.
Appeal
The Minister of Defence, Mr Benjamin Kunbour, before presenting a token award on behalf of the ministry to the retired Chief of Defence Staff, described Vice Admiral Quarshie as a man who had distinguished himself during his tenure.
After inspecting a parade of nine officers and 104 men drawn from the Ghana Navy, Air Force and Army, with the military’s Central Band playing various tunes, Vice Admiral Quashie praised the service commanders, civilian employees and his family for supporting him throughout his service.
He appealed to the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF and the government to make judicious use of the many seasoned retired senior military officers.
“In this regard, a think tank of non-partisan retired high-ranking military officers can be created to offer strategic advice and direction to the government,” he proposed.
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