Story By Eunice Botchway
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General (Maj Gen) Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, paid a maiden visit to the newly established 156 Cavalry Regiment on Wednesday 15 April 2026, at Medo Lines in Burma Camp. He was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters.
The visit was intended to provide the COAS with first-hand information on the regiment’s current state and activities since its establishment.
The Commanding Officer of 156 Cavalry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Joseph Bannerman, briefed the COAS and his entourage on the Regiment’s operational, administrative and logistical matters. He also outlined planned regimental projects and highlighted key challenges.
Lt Col Bannerman said the visit was a great honour and a source of motivation, marking an important milestone that reinforces the Regiment’s commitment to upholding the highest levels of discipline, professionalism and service despite its challenges.
Addressing an all-ranks durbar, Maj Gen Gbetanu declared the 156 Cavalry Regiment fully established under 15 Armoured Brigade and confirmed its role as COAS’s “armoured reserve”. He said the unit was created following a long-standing request from the Commander of 15 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Frank Nartey Tei, to complete the Brigade’s structure.
The COAS noted that 156 Cavalry Regiment is not the only new unit recently added to the Ghana Army, pointing to the 174 Signal Regiment, which he visited the previous day at the Signal Training School in Burma Camp. He said these developments mean 15 Armoured Brigade now has all the regiments under its command, setting the stage for full operationalisation.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour and receiving briefings from the Commanding Officer and the Brigade Commander, Maj Gen Gbetanu stressed that training is central to readiness and announced a major exercise in May this year, during which the Brigade will support the Land Forces while also operating as an independent manoeuvre unit to test troop endurance and equipment capability.
The COAS assured troops that the Ghana Army will take full responsibility for providing the corps’ staple black overall uniforms, underscoring that by the end of 2026, all Ghana Army personnel are expected to receive their appropriate kittings under a quarterly “kitting plan” for 2026 and 2027.
He also acknowledged a shortage of rideable horses, noting that a request submitted early in 2026 could not be fully met due to resource constraints. He said the requirement is being reintroduced so the unit can secure the horses it requires.
Maj Gen Gbetanu urged soldiers to live above reproach, preserve the integrity of the Ghana Armed Forces, and avoid misconduct, reminding them that soldiering is a respected and noble profession. He called on the Regiment to rally behind its leadership and advance the cause of the armoured reserve.
As part of the visit, the COAS toured the Regiment and watched a display by the horses. The visit took on a more symbolic tone when the COAS named a newborn foal “Legacy” and made a cash donation to support the Regiment’s activities.