The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, as part of his operational visit to the Northern Command of the Ghana Army, toured the proposed site for the establishment of the 51 Engineer Regiment (Area 51) on Tuesday 24 June, 2025.
The 51 Engineer Regiment formed on the 19 Aug 24, is tasked with the mission to provide a complete range of combat engineer support to the Ghana Army and other Services (Navy and Airforce). It will specifically support operations of the Northern Command of the Ghana Army, allowing the combat arms to live, move, survive, and fight while supporting Government Agencies, Civil and Local Authorities in order to safeguard national security and promote national development.
The COAS further took time to pay a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Savelugu Traditional Area, Yoo Naa Yakubu Andani who is the custodian of the land site. In his interaction, the COAS remarked the significance of the deployment of the 51 Engineer Regiment to the North in support of the Northern Command of the Army. He acknowledged the support of the Yoo Naa, thanking him for supporting the establishment of the engineer unit.
The Yoo Naa reaffirmed his support for the Ghana Army while emphasizing the need to ensure peace, stability and development of the North. The proposed site nicknamed Area 51, covering 850 acres of land will house the Sappers Camp for the 51 Engineer Regiment with the Regimental HQ, Squadron Offices, a first ever Demolition and IED Range, along with other structures within a complete Barracks.
The COAS also took the opportunity to visit the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari Gariba II at the Gbewa Palace in Yendi. As the Overload of Dagbon, the Yaa Naa also gave his blessings to the COAS and further supported the establishment of the 51 Engineer Regiment in Savelugu.
The strategic location of the 51 Engineer Regiment enhances the Ghana Army’s engineer capabilities while improving disaster response time in the Northern sector of the Country.
The COAS during the visit was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command, Brig Gen Franklyn Worlanyo Agbebo, the Deputy Chief Staff Officer (Operations and Training) Brig Gen William Kwabiah and other senior Officers from the Army Headquarters.
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.
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