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The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona has officially closed the 2024 Army Regimental Sergeant Majors’ (RSM) Convention on Friday 4 October 2024 at Wajir Barracks, Teshie.The convention under the theme; “Sergeant Majors and the Development of Junior Leadership” brought together Sergeant Majors of the various units of the Ghana army with 3 Navy and 4 Air force sergeant majors in attendance.The convention was meant to help improve junior leadership toward the effective execution of the core mandate of the army for nation-building, and also deliberate on important topics as well as the threats and challenges that confront the Army. In his remarks, Maj Gen Onwona indicated that the Army of the future that he envisaged cannot be fully achieved without the input of the Sgt Majors, who are the custodians of tradition of the force, hence the convention.

COAS mentioned that the convention remains an important activity on the calendar of the service headquarters and efforts were made to host a successful and significant convention despite some challenges faced during the preparation.He further stated that the enthusiasm displayed by the sergeant majors over the period was worthwhile. ‘I remain convinced that the learning objectives of the convention have been realised and we are thus better placed to forge ahead to make our Armed Forces a more reputable force with professionalism as its hallmark’, he added.

Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona charged participants to apply the knowledge and experience gained at the convention to help shape policies for the ultimate mandate to defend Ghana against internal and external aggressions.COAS urged all to remain united and eschew divisive actions and admonished them to effect change at their various places of deployment after the convention. He asked participants to go out and improve the quality of the Ghana Army, insisting on the right standards across the operational and administrative domains. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, Brig Gen Samuel Yeboah Asare praised the participants for the intelligent inputs they provided during deliberations on the course and charged all to be worthy ambassadors of what they have learnt when they return to their units.

The GOC emphasised the vital role Regimental Sergeant Majors play in fostering junior leadership within the Ghana Armed Forces and encouraged them to exchange ideas to achieve meaningful progress. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation among Sergeant Majors in addressing both internal and external security threats as part of a unified national effort.Brigadier General Asare urged the RSMs to propose policy reviews that would improve capabilities, morale, and welfare within the Armed Forces. He extended his appreciation to the Staff Officers from Headquarters Southern Command, the Commanding Officer of 48 Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Alex Twumasi, as well as the officers and soldiers involved in hosting the convention.