Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, the Deputy Minister of Defence, has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to modernising and retooling the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to enhance national defence capabilities and the welfare of troops.

He said the retooling initiative, which would take full effect next year, formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader “Resetting Ghana Agenda” aimed at strengthening the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.

That would be achieved through the provision of modern communication systems, advanced military technologies, and improved living and training conditions for personnel.

Mr Genfi said this at the 2025 edition of the Ghana Armed Forces Land Combat Firepower Demonstration on Friday at the Battle Training Camp, Bundase, near Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region.

The annual exercise, which was one of the most significant exercises of the Armed Forces’ operational training calendar, showcased the synchronised coordination of land, air, and maritime forces in modern combat operations.

The Deputy Defence Minister described this year’s display as a “rare demonstration of operational precision, discipline, and strategy”, saying it reflected the Armed Forces’ professionalism and readiness to defend Ghana’s sovereignty in an increasingly complex global security environment.

“True operational excellence depends not only on troop readiness but also on the efficiency, reliability, and modernisation of military machinery and equipment,” he said.

“Government remains resolute in its commitment to retooling and modernising the Ghana Armed Forces, enhance accommodation, training infrastructure, health systems, and strengthen the overall welfare of our servicemen and women.”

Mr Genfi stressed the high priority that government placed on the welfare of troops, noting that the strength of the military lay not only in its arsenal but also in the wellbeing and professionalism of its personnel.

He cautioned personnel to uphold the highest standards of conduct and discipline both on and off duty, warning that any actions that tarnished the image of the institution would be dealt with decisively in accordance with military regulations and the laws of the Republic.

Mr Genfi lauded the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College for its continuous role in bridging theory and practice in military training.

He said the inclusion of student officers from allied African countries reinforced Ghana’s leadership in promoting regional cooperation and collective security within the African Union and ECOWAS frameworks.

“The friendships, networks, and shared learning experiences cultivated here form the bedrock of regional military cooperation and collective security,” he noted.

Brigadier-General Isaac Nicholas Paintsil, General Officer Commanding the Southern Command, in his welcome address, underscored the importance of the demonstration as a critical component of the Armed Forces’ training regime.

He said the exercise allowed student officers to appreciate the practical integration of combat support assets in offensive and defensive operations within a joint taskforce environment.

“Today’s demonstration is a practical validation of our combat readiness and reflects our firm resolve to maintaining operational vigilance and strategic deterrence against any threat to Ghana’s sovereignty,” he said.

Brig-Gen Paintsil said the exercise, conducted with support from the Ghana Navy and the Air Force, illustrated the GAF’s ability to synchronise land, sea, and air operations; an essential feature of modern warfare.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to remaining “mission-ready, highly trained, and prepared to respond decisively to any form of aggression or destabilisation.”

The 2025 Land Combat Firepower Demonstration featured tactical displays from a battle group led by the 1st Infantry Battalion, supported by elements from the 2nd and 5th Infantry Battalions.

The rest were the 66th Artillery Regiment, 153 Armoured Regiment, 48 Engineer Regiment, 81 Signal Regiment, and the Special Operations Brigade.

The event brought together senior military officers, students of the GAF Command and Staff College, and invited guests from sister African countries.