By L/Cpl Badasu Kate Afi
The Army Wives Association (AWA) marked International Women’s Day 2026 on Sunday 8 March 2026, at Aggrey Hall, 49 Engineer Regiment, Burma Camp. The event, held under the theme “Give to Gain: Empowerment Exchange Circle,” was led by senior wives and drew members from across the military community.
The President of AWA and the wife of the Chief of the Army Staff, Mrs Patience Dzifa Adeti Gbetanu, praised the Commanding Officer of the 49 Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Harrison Dadzie, for his dedication and support. She reiterated the theme’s call for women to support and empower one another through shared knowledge, experience and opportunities.
Delivering remarks as the Guest of Honour, Gender Advisor to the Chief of the Army Staff, Colonel Rahamatu Sledge Alando, conveyed greetings from the COAS and the Military High Command. She thanked participants for their support while their spouses serve the nation and commended the association’s mentorship, emotional support and skills-development initiatives.
Colonel Alando highlighted three priority concerns for AWA members: accommodation, transfers, and healthcare. She said these issues are central to the welfare of military families and noted that the Military High Command has acknowledged them and is treating them as priorities.
She added that plans were underway to improve the barracks’ infrastructure, including the construction of 1000 housing units to ease accommodation challenges of the Ghana Army. Colonel Alando also referenced the new Mahama Care initiative linked to the National Health Insurance Scheme, which aims to cover certain medications and treatments not currently included under the existing scheme.
Mrs Dorothy Ohui Akwa, spouse of Lieutenant General Obed Boamoah Akwa (Rtd), former Chief of the Defence Staff and current Ghanaian Ambassador to Egypt, urged members to remain prayerful and to value collective empowerment. Mrs Gbetanu later presented plaques to retired senior wives in recognition of their services.
