CDS reminds soldiers of the changing trends in armed conflicts

Accra, July 8, GNA – Major General Peter Augustine Blay, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on Tuesday observed that recent events worldwide, especially in Africa indicate that the nature of armed conflict is changing dramatically from the inter-state to intra-state clashes.

He said it was appropriate to focus on training in combat operations against irregular or paramilitary forces that operate from jungle bases or urban areas with various levels of sophisticated arms and equipment enhanced by detailed knowledge of the local environment.

To counter such operations usually require small, flexible and independent sub-units.

Maj. Gen. Blay made the observation when he addressed troops that participated in “Ex Tigers; Path 2009” at the Jungle Warfare School on Friday at Achiase in the Eastern Region.

Participants were drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Police Service. A four-man observer team from Burkina Faso Armed Forces also took part in the event.

At the end of the five-day tri-service competition, Support Services Brigade emerged the overall winner with 1325.85 points; Northern Command bagged 1273.35 points to place second position while Southern Command scored 1273.35 points to occupy the third position.

The Ghana Navy placed fourth with 1246.55 points while Ghana Air Force took fifth position with 1109.99 points.

Amaning of the Ghana Air Force was adjudged the best female participant and earned a promotion from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Samson Oje.

Maj. Gen. Blay said training was necessary to sustain “our ability to fight in the jungle.”

The CDS called on the public to provide information on activities of illegal chainsaw operators to the security services to enable them to keep them off the forest.

He said government was providing the required equipment to enable the security services to curb armed robbery and other related crimes in the country.

Maj. Gen. Blay the congratulated teams that won prizes in the various events, particularly Support Services Brigade for emerging as the overall winners.

GNA