The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, has cut sod for the commencement of a new 30-unit student accommodation as part of his legacy projects, on Wednesday 17 March 2026, at Whistler Barracks, Teshie.
In his remarks, the COAS emphasised that the facility represents a major step towards improving the accommodation infrastructure of Army students undergoing courses and boosting the operational readiness of the Ghana Army. He noted that the initiative forms part of his legacy project to build at least one accommodation block in each of the Army commands nationwide.
Major General Gbetanu elaborated that the Army Combat Training School is a vital institution for training and retraining officers and soldiers to tackle evolving security threats. Yet, it has long grappled with accommodation shortages.
These issues, he said, have strained trainees, instructors, and overall efficiency, with broader implications for the Army’s regimentation, training, and constitutional mandate. The new project, funded through Ghana Army resources and corporate sponsorships, therefore aims to create a more conducive environment for learning and training.
He praised the stakeholders’ collaborative effort and thanked partners for their contributions. He further expressed his gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for announcing in January 2026 the construction of 10,000 housing units for the Armed Forces. This move recognises the sacrifices of service personnel.
The COAS further stated that the initiative aligns with the Ghana Army Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which prioritises infrastructure and welfare to build a modern, professional force. He assured personnel of the leadership’s commitment to resolving accommodation deficits across garrisons, urging diligence, transparency, and quality in execution.
Commander Army Training Command, Brigadier General Joshua Amanor, described the ceremony not as a mere formality but as a decisive strike against infrastructure stagnation, which bridges the Chief of the Army Staff’s strategic vision with operational reality. He highlighted that modernising training and housing is a foundational pillar for force readiness and ensures the physical environment matches the demands of professional military education.
The new facility, he said, therefore promises a professional environment fostering dignity and focus. He expressed his profound gratitude to the COAS and benefactors, pledged rigorous oversight for quality, efficiency, and timely delivery, and assured that it would be managed to the highest institutional standards once completed. He also underscored his unwavering commitment to the Ghana Army’s future.
The Chief Projects and Services officer at the Army Headquarters, Colonel Albert Takyi, in his project description, highlighted that the Chief of the Army Staff’s Legacy Project features flexible building typologies (one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and self-contained designs in 1 to 3 storey variants) for army commands and training institutions.
The sod-cutting ceremony marked the launch of a three-storey, 30-unit self-contained building for 60 officer students at the Army Combat Training School. The facility will feature modern amenities such as private balconies, washrooms, ample water storage, safe staircases, and durable materials integrated into the surrounding landscape.
The Ghana Army, is Ghana’s Land Warfare Component tracing its origins from the Gold Coast Constabulary Regiment (GCCR) in the then British Empire, evolving through the years to become the present-day Professional Ghana Army.
Copyright 2026 Ghana Army - All Rights Reserved
