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The 66 Artillery Regiment on Friday, 9 January 2026, outdoors Lieutenant Colonel Charles Spencer Churchill Grant as the Colonel of the Regiment at the Volta Barracks in Ho. The ceremony formed part of the 16 Artillery Brigade’s End-of-Year West Africa Soldiers’ Social Activities (WASSA) celebration.The appointment of a Colonel of the Regiment is a long-standing military tradition inherited from the British Army, dating back to the 17th century. It is a ceremonial position in which a senior officer, nobleman, influential personality, or member of the British Royal Family is appointed as the honorary head of a regiment. The tradition serves to recognise distinguished service and enduring contributions to the regiment.

In a speech delivered at the ceremony, the Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, Lt Col Jalali Din Ibrahim, stated that the Colonel of the Regiment serves as the guardian of the unit’s esprit de corps, history, and traditions. He noted that the role bridges the regiment’s past, present, and future, while championing its interests at higher headquarters. According to him, the ceremonial Colonel reinforces the regiment’s specialised identity and core values of precision, technical mastery, and teamwork under fire. These values, he explained, connect the heritage of cannon and horse-drawn guns to the modern era of rocket artillery, drones, precision-guided munitions, and digital fire control systems—validating the regiment’s evolution while honouring its roots.

Lt Col Ibrahim further recalled that the first Colonel of the 66 Artillery Regiment was Colonel Ekow Jones (of blessed memory), who was also the first Commanding Officer of the Medium Mortar Regiment, now the 66 Artillery Regiment. He noted that following his passing, it became necessary to appoint a befitting senior retired artillery officer to ensure continuity between the regiment and its founding generation. Such an appointment, he added, would also facilitate documentation of the Regiment’s unique history and traditions for future generations of gunners.He concluded that after extensive consultations, Lt Col Charles Spencer Churchill Grant—a senior retired artillery officer whose dedication and wealth of experience have greatly benefited the Artillery Corps—was selected for the role. His appointment is expected to significantly support the 66 Artillery Regiment in particular and the Artillery Corps at large.

The colourful ceremony was graced by the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, as the Special Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries in attendance included the Volta Regional Minister, seasoned serving and retired generals, the Commander of the 16 Artillery Brigade, members of the Ghana Artillery Officers Association, and other invited guests.