Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces have begun a three week internal security and counter insurgency preparedness exercise, Exercise Starlight Stretch III, in the Oti Region.
The exercise is meant to sharpen the readiness of troops to respond effectively to an increasingly complex security environment facing the country and the wider sub-region. It will also test formation-level planning and oversight of internal security and counter insurgency operations, while strengthening cooperation between combat, combat support and combat service support units, as well as partner security and civil institutions.
Troops will also be taken through the legal frameworks that govern military operations, including the Rules of Engagement, the Law of Armed Conflict, respect for human rights and established Standard Operating Procedures. Training will cover a wide range of military skills, including physical endurance, field craft, battle drills, tactical combat care, communications, convoy protection, drone awareness and intelligence-led operations.
Speaking at the opening of the exercise in Nkwanta on Tuesday, August 11, the Command Operations Officer at Headquarters Southern Command, Colonel Lawrence Seddoh Agbedoawu, said troops would also undergo intensive, realistic training covering the full range of internal security work, including countering violent extremism and terrorism operations.
Agbedoawu, who represented the General Officer Commanding Southern Command, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, said the exercise was designed to progressively build individual proficiency, small-unit competence, tactical decision-making and overall combat team effectiveness through structured instruction, practical drills and realistic field scenarios.
He urged the troops to stay focused throughout the exercise and strictly follow all safety instructions, weapons-handling procedures and environmental protection measures.
"Let this training sharpen your professional competence, strengthen team work, improve leadership at every level and enhance your confidence in executing operational tasks under demanding condition," he told the soldiers. "The knowledge and skills you acquire here may one day prove decisive in protecting the security and sovereignty of our beloved nation."
He thanked Army Headquarters, General Headquarters, the various formations and brigades of the Ghana Armed Forces, sister security agencies and civil institutions for their support in organising the exercise.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer of the 1 Infantry Brigade Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Enoch Awudu, described Exercise Starlight Stretch III as timely and relevant given emerging security threats.
