President Mahama Honors Retiring Military Generals as GNFS Marks Operational Milestones and Corporate Support

President John Mahama has honored eight retiring flag officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) during a ceremonial send-off parade at Burma Camp in Accra. The group, consisting of seven Army generals and one Air Force general, was recognized for decades of dedicated service to national security and international peacekeeping operations. In a gesture of appreciation for their transition to civilian life, President Mahama provided special sponsorships and cash awards to the officers. During the event, Guest of Honor Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje commended the retirees for their contributions to the military's enduring values, while Brigadier General Augustine Asiedu urged the current generation of personnel to uphold the discipline and teamwork essential for national development. Parallel to these military honors, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) celebrated a decade of community impact with the 10th anniversary of the Ministries Fire Station in Accra. During a thanksgiving service attended by dignitaries and past personnel, the station’s first District Commander, ACFO II Rev. Naomi Ofori Adubea Sarpong, reflected on the unit’s growth since its inception in 2015. She shared humorous anecdotes regarding the station’s early challenges and her initial skepticism about the team selection. However, her leadership transformed the station into a model of excellence, significantly raising fire safety awareness across various government ministries. The event was supported by stakeholders like Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darko, who affirmed the station's vital role in protecting state infrastructure. To further enhance firefighting capabilities in the capital, Polytanks Ghana has donated two 10,000-litre water storage tanks to the GNFS Greater Accra Regional Headquarters. Media Relations Manager Moudline Duodua Gyan stated that the donation is intended to bolster emergency response capacity during water supply interruptions from the Ghana Water Company Limited. Regional Fire Officer ACFO II Rashid K. Nisawu and ADO I Robert Lamptey expressed gratitude for the contribution, noting that the tanks would support both active firefighting operations and the water needs of personnel at the Korle-Bu facility. This private-sector support is seen as a critical component in maintaining the service's readiness for large-scale emergencies. The practical effectiveness of the GNFS was recently demonstrated in the Upper East Region, where a rescue team successfully extricated a 35-year-old driver from an overturned tipper truck. The accident, involving a vehicle with registration number GG 4478-21, occurred near the Customs Barrier in the Bolgatanga East District. A six-member rescue team led by STNO1 Bright Atimbiok arrived within minutes of the distress call and worked for nearly two hours to free the driver, Mr. Sulemana Nangne. Following the successful operation, which concluded at 7:21 p.m., the driver was transported to the Upper East Regional Hospital for medical treatment, highlighting the service's continued commitment to life-saving operations across the country.